Kerala floods declared calamity of ‘severe nature’

New Delhi, Aug 21: The Centre has declared the Kerala floods as a calamity of a severe nature.

The Union Home Ministry has declared the crisis in Kerala as a calamity of severe nature in view of the "intensity and magnitude" of the floods and landslides in the state. The Ministry noted that at least 247 people have lost their lives in the rains, floods and landslides in the state, while over 17,000 huts/houses have been damaged.

"Keeping in view of the intensity and magnitude of the floods/landslides of 2018 in Kerala, this is a calamity of a severe nature for all practical purposes," the Home Ministry said in its official order.

The order comes in the wake of several opposition parties demanding that the Centre should declare the flood situation in Kerala as a 'national disaster.'

When a calamity is declared to be of 'rare severity'/severe nature,' support to the government of the affected state is provided at the national level. The Centre also considers additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).