Kerala Floods: Death toll reaches 164

Kerala: The death toll in state has risen to 164 since August 8. Nearly 2,23,000 people are living in 1,568 relief camps across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit the flood hit region today.

At Sree Ayyappa College hostel in Thiruvanvandoor near Chengannur, 30 school girls are struck. Efforts are being made to rescue them. Meanwhile CBSE and ICSE schools in Kerala rearrange Onam Holidays from August 17 to 29 as directed by the state government. Two passenger special trains, one from Ernakulam Jn to Thiruvananthapuram Central via Alappuzha and other from Thiruvananthapuram central to Ernakulam Jn via Alappuzha.

A man had a miraculous escape from the flood affected area at Aranmula as he was airlifted along with five of his friends to safety. Jebin James is being housed at Sivagiri convention centre, Varkala. TM Thomas Isaac, the Finance Minister is leading rescue activities in boats in Kuttanad. The government hired two helicopters and 27 boats which are carrying out rescue operations at Chalakkudy and Mala, which are the worst affected areas in Thrissur district.

Many stars including Anushka Sharma, Abhishek Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar among other took social media to tell everyone to donate to the Chief Minister’s fund for the aid of the flood hit people. Centre is providing food packets to state and already one lakh packets have been distributed. 16 Army teams, 42 Navy teams and 28 NDRF teams are currently operating rescue operation. Thrissur, Ernakulam, Allappuzha and Pathanamthitta are four worst hit districts in Kerala.

Supreme Court sought report from Kerala government on steps taken on disaster management and rehabilitation measures. SC says its not an expert to deal with floods and leaves it to executive to contain the crisis.