Kerala to seek immediate Central aid

Kozhikode, July 18 (UNI) Kerala Revenue Minister K P Rajendran today said the state which suffered heavy loss of property and human lives in the recent rain-related incidents, would seek immediate Central assistance for the affected people.

Stating that 138 lives and properties worth crores of rupees were lost in the natural calamities during the year, Mr Rajendran, who held an emergency meeting of top officials to take stock of the sitution, said help of the Central Ministers and Members of Parliament from the state would be solicited for getting the funds released as soon as possible.

He said the quantum of assistance to be sought was being worked out.

Stating that all-out efforts were being made to carry out relief operations, he said services of four more battalions of the Disaster Management Force were requisitioned in the worst-affected Kozhikode district.

Two battalions had already arrived to undertake relief operations at various places in the district. In addition, services of the Coast Guard would also be requisitioned, he added.

Meanwhile, official sources said the administration had opened 53 relief camps in various parts of the district to shelter people evacuated from low-lying areas.

UNI