Kerala floods aftermath: Govt focuses on cleaning houses, public places
What's the story
With operations to rescue stranded people from flood-affected areas nearing a close, the Kerala government today turned its attention to cleaning of houses and public places which were damaged in the unprecedented rains which ravaged the state.
According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8.
Damage
Over 14L people residing in 3,879 relief camps in Kerala
Nearly 14.50 lakh people from 3.91 lakh families are still in about 3,879 relief camps across the state.
The largest number of people in relief camps was in the worst-affected Ernakulam district with a total of 5.32 lakh in 850 camps.
Though water has started receding in some places, areas near the river banks and Kuttanad in Alappuzha continue to be under water.
Cleaning
Over 3,000 squads have started the cleaning of houses
Over 3,000 squads under health and local self-government departments have started the process of cleaning houses and public places.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has said that most of the stranded people have been rescued and searches would continue in isolated houses.
Indian Air Force personnel rescued 15 people, including 11, who were trapped in Nelliyampathy in Palakkad district yesterday.
Information
Around 3,000 carcasses of cattle buried across the state
Officials said about 12,000 houses were cleaned yesterday and about 12,000 volunteers were on the field. Nearly 3,000 carcasses of cattle were buried across the state yesterday. In a show of unity, a group of Muslim youths cleaned up temples in Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
Loss
Preliminary estimates say Kerala suffered a loss of Rs. 19,512cr
The state government has sought a relief package of Rs. 2,600cr under the MNREGA scheme and also under centrally-sponsored programs.
The Chief Minister informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the flood-affected areas on Sunday that Kerala had suffered a loss of Rs. 19,512cr as per preliminary estimates and only after the water recedes the exact loss and damage could be assessed.
Funds
UAE govt has offered relief fund of around Rs. 700cr
The state had also sought an immediate relief of Rs. 2,000cr to take up relief works and the Center sanctioned Rs. 500cr.
The Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund had received donations of around Rs. 309cr till last evening through online and deposits in the special SBI account.
The UAE government also offered an amount of $100 million (about Rs. 700cr) for the state's reconstruction.