Rescue and relief operations in full swing in flood ravaged Kerala; President Ram Nath Kovind speaks to Kerala Governor and CM; Assures people of the state that entire nation is with them in this hour of crisis, praises relief agencies NDRF and public officials at state and Central level for their response and commitment.

Thousands of people in flood-hit areas in Kerala are battling all odds to survive as the death toll has crossed 195 in the past 10 days in the second spell of monsoon fury since August 8.

Many are still stranded in their homes with no food at various places in Alapuzha, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.

The maximum death toll has been reported from Idukki district, where 43 people have lost their lives so far, as per official estimates. Over six lakh people are in relief camps across the state.

Along with personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the NDRF, hundreds of fishermen and local people are engaged in relief operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has the biggest ever relief and rescue operation in flood-affected Kerala. An NDRF spokesperson said, a total of 58 teams have been deputed to work in the state and three teams are on their way.

This is the highest ever deployment of NDRF in a single state since its raising in 2006. The NDRF has evacuated more than 10,000 people from rain and flood-battered areas.

Massive rescue operations were on in worst affected places including Chenganur, Chalakudy, Aluva, Alappuzha and Pathanam titta and thousands were rescued. Over four lakh people are housed in 3026 relief camps across the state.

In the unprecedented efforts being mobilised under the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 67 choppers, 24 aircrafts, 548 motorboats and thousands of rescue personnel from Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force, Coast Guard, other Central Armed Para-military Forces, have been pressed into service to rescue and evacuate people from submerged areas to relief camps and for distribution of relief materials. The Cabinet Secretary directed five more helicopters to be mobilised by Indian Air Force, Navy and ONGC. Additional motorboats have also been put on standby for deployment.
HELPLINE NUMBERS:

District Rescue Helpline
Rescue No.- (STD)+ 1077
Kasaragod: 94 46 60 1700
Kannur: 94 46 68 2300
Kozhikode: 94 46 53 8900
Waynad: 80 78 40 9770
Mallapuram: 93 83 46 3212 and 93 83 46 42 12
Thrissur: 94 47 07 44 24 and 04 87 23 63 424
Palakkad: 83 01 80 32 82
Ernakulam: 79 02 20 04 00 and 79 02 20 03 00
Alappuzha: 0477 2238630, 94 95 00 36 30, 94 95 00 36 40
Idukki: 90 61 56 61 11, 93 83 46 30 36
Kottayam: 94 46 56 22 36
Pathanamthitta: 80 78 80 89 15
Kollam: 94 47 67 78 00

President Ram Nath Kovind spoke to Governor and CM of Kerala & inquired about the flood situation. He acknowledged the grit & resilience of people of Kerala in coming together in this trying hour. President assured the people of the state that entire nation was with them. President expressed satisfaction that Union and state governments were working together and in synergy in rescue and relief operations in Kerala. He praised relief agencies such as NDRF and public officials at state and Central level for their response and commitment.

Along with the centre, many states too have taken the lead and announced help for flood-ravaged Kerala. Maharashtra Chief Minister has announced Rs. 20 crore as immediate assistance to the flood-hit state. While, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Rs. 10 crore aid, Jharkhand has given a financial help of Rs. Five crore to Kerala.

Uttar Pradesh CM also announced financial assistance of Rs 15 crores for flood affected states while Chhattisgarh CM announced to provide rice worth Rs 7 crore one railway rake and Rs 3 crore as financial assistance to State.

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced Rs 10 crore financial assistance for flood-hit Kerala.

Rajasthan Chief Minister also announced a financial help of Rs 10 crore from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the flood-ravaged Kerala.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced an aid of Rs. 10 crore for the state. Odisha has announced an assistance of Rs. five crore for flood-hit Kerala.

Punjab Chief Minister has announced Rs. 10 crore worth of immediate relief for flood-hit Kerala. While Telangana announced immediate financial help of Rs. 25 crore for flood-hit Kerala. Delhi Chief Minister also announced a contribution of Rs. 10 crore.