Ninety-five people have lost their lives across 14 districts in Kerala since August 8 in flood-related incidents in the southern state. At least 34 persons are injured while 59 others are still missing.

Around 2.24 lakh people were staying at 1,243 relief camps.

Advertisement

Rescue operations have resumed at full throttle as rains have reduced drastically since Monday.

Meanwhile, the weather department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall with wind speed reaching 35 to 45 kmph very likely to occur at one or two places in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

On Tuesday, a red alert was issued for three districts – Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki, while an orange alert was issued for nine other districts.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those killed in the floods.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister visited flood-affected areas of Wayanad and Malappuram districts.

Meanwhile, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 52 crore immediate assistance to Kerala, while the state government has sanctioned three-month free ration for the victims of the natural disaster.

This was announced by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. Medicines worth Rs 4 crore would also be sent, he added.

Kerala Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P Thilothaman said in the state capital on Tuesday three-month free ration would be provided to flood victims.
“Of course, the Centre has to provide supplies. But what we have in stock will be distributed,” said Thilothaman.

The worst-hit districts include Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasargode, Idukki, Kottayam, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Palakkad.

According to preliminary estimates given by State Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar, more than 18,000 hectares of various agricultural crops have affected about 81,000 farmers and the total estimated loss as of now stands above Rs 800 crore.

Last year, Kerala witnessed the worst-ever floods in a century that left some 370 people dead, more than a million people homeless and caused widespread destruction.