President Ram Nath Kovind spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor P Sathasivam on Sunday and enquired about the flood situation that has devastated the southern state, killing hundreds and rendering thousands homeless.

The President told the Governor and the CM that the entire nation was with the people of Kerala in this hour of crisis.

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“The President spoke to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Kerala and enquired about the flood situation. He acknowledged the grit and resilience of the people of Kerala in coming together in this trying hour. Assured the people of the state that entire nation was with them,” read a tweet posted on the official Twitter handle of the President.

He was also satisfied with the synergy displayed by the Union and state governments in providing succour to the affected people.

“President Kovind expressed satisfaction that the Union and state governments were working together and in synergy in rescue and relief operations in Kerala. He praised relief agencies such as NDRF and public officials at state and Central level for their response and commitment,” read a second tweet.

#PresidentKovind expressed satisfaction that the Union and state governments were working together and in synergy in rescue and relief operations in Kerala. He praised relief agencies such as NDRF and public officials at state and Central level for their response and commitment

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 19, 2018

Death toll rises

With two more deaths reported on Sunday, the death toll in the devastating rains and floods in Kerala touched 370.

Though authorities withdrew the red alert which was issued for the worst affected districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur, rescue operations continued in the three districts.

The worst affected places where people have remained stranded for the past three days without food or water include Chengannur, Pandalam, Thiruvalla, several areas in Pathanamthitta district and in Ernakulam’s Aluva, Angamaly and Paravur.

According to the meteorological department, Kerala is not expected to receive heavy rainfall from Monday. Reports say that for the first time on Sunday, no red alert were issued for any district but orange alerts are on.

Earlier on Saturday, the IMD had issued red alert for 11 districts and predicted heavy rainfall in all except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kasaragod.

Thousands of people are still stuck on the rooftops of houses and community centres as rescue workers are yet to reach many flooded areas.

The state has called for more helicopters to rescue stranded people as receding water level at various places has made it difficult for motor boats to make their way to the stranded people.

Rains in the catchment areas of the big dams in Idukki district have also subsided with the authorities shutting two of the five floodgates at the Idukki dam. The outflow of water from both the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams has also reduced.

As a result of this, the water flow into the Periyar and its tributaries that flow through Ernakulam and Thrissur has come down. But the receding level of water has also given rise to fears of epidemic. Piles of garbage brought in by the flood waters were left behind on major roads in many parts of the affected districts.

Funds row and politics over rescue control

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urgently declare Kerala a national disaster.

Modi, who conducted an aerial survey on Saturday, pledged Rs 500 crore in central aid and promised more helicopters, boats and other equipment needed to expand the rescue operation in the still unfolding emergency.

Read More: PM Modi surveys flood-hit areas, announces Rs 500-crore grant

But Gandhi criticised the announcement of Rs 500 crore relief saying that the amount is “not enough for the state”.

“Dear PM, increasing funds allocated for Kerala relief to Rs.500 crore is a good step but nowhere near enough. It is critical you declare the floods as a National Disaster. Please do not vacillate as the people of Kerala are suffering,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, who arrived in the state capital earlier on Sunday, also said that the sanctioned amount was too little.

“The response from all across the country has been very well what needs to be done now is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should declare this crisis as a national disaster,” said Yechury.

Responding to the Kerala opposition’s demand that the rescue operations should be handed over to the Army, state CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala was playing politics when the state was facing one of the worst ever natural disasters.

“The rules are very clear and it is that the Army should act under the National Disaster Management Authority. It’s not possible to hand it over to the Army and Chennithala is playing politics,” said Balakrishnan.

The flood hit state has also received financial aid from other states. Andhra Pradesh has promised aid of Rs 5 crore, Delhi government Rs 10 crore, Karnataka Rs 10 crore, Odisha Rs 5 crore, Punjab Rs 10 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 10 crore, Telangana Rs 25 crore and Haryana has announced a donation of Rs 10 crore.

Kerala is facing the heaviest rains and consequent widespread floods and destruction since 1924, which the state estimates has caused a loss of over Rs 19,500 crore.