As Kerala stands devastated, nation comes forward to help

New Delhi, Aug 19: Several states have come forward to help the people of Kerala, which has been devastated by floods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had visited the state announced a relief of Rs 500 crore in addition to the Rs 100 crore that was announced earlier.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the state government would provide financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to flood affected people and for rescue operations in Kerala.

He said that the people of Kerala had been facing heavy losses of life and property due to severe floods, and Haryana is with Kerala in this hour of need.

Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu have already announced aid for flood-ravaged Kerala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced an immediate financial assistance of Rs 500 crore to the state, after reviewing the flood situation there.

As many as 194 people have lost their lives and 36 are missing in Kerala since August 8 due to rains and landslides, while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.

The southern state is facing its worst flood in 100 years with 80 dams opened and all rivers in spate. A body blow has been dealt to the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit.

AP:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan over phone about the situation in the rain-ravaged state and assured him of providing all possible help in this hour of crisis.

A release from the Chief Minister's Office said Naidu expressed grief over loss of lives and destruction of property in the monsoon fury.

Naidu assured Kerala that his state was ready to provide all possible help to it in this hour of crisis.

The Andhra Pradesh government had last night announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala.

Naidu told Vijayan that he would assist in mobilising more financial resources for rehabilitation work in Kerala.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government despatched a special rescue team comprising 66 disaster response and fire services personnel, a district fire officer, 12 motorboats and other equipment to Kerala.

A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel from Mangalagiri also left for Kerala by a special aircraft, State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner M V Seshagiri Babu said.

Bihar:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended a financial aid of Rs 10 crore to flood-ravaged Kerala.

Kumar said that he was deeply distressed and saddened by the tragic loss of lives and large scale damage to properties caused by the incessant rains that have been lashing the southern state for the past few days.

No one knows better than the people of Bihar about the miseries caused by natural calamities during flood. I am sending a small contribution of Rs 10 crore from Chief Ministers Relief Fund, Bihar, for relief and rehabilitation works in the flood affected areas, Kumar wrote in a letter addressed to his Kerala counterpart Vijayan.

I believe that under your able guidance and leadership, the people of Kerala would recover soon from the losses that they have suffered. I am confident the strength and resilience of the people of Kerala will carry the state through this catastrophe, Kumar added.