Eighty-eight people have reportedly died across 14 districts in Kerala since August 8 as heavy rainfall triggered floods and landslides. At least 40 people are missing in rain-related incidents.
Meanwhile, the rains appeared to have reduced drastically on Monday in Kerala, giving a sigh of relief to those engaged in rescue operations.
Over 2.60 lakh people have been holed up in around 1,500 relief camps across the state.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is on a visit to the flood-affected areas in the state. He is visiting flood-affected areas of Wayanad and Malappuram districts today.
Earlier on Monday, a high-level review meeting was held to assess the relief efforts. The Chief Minister also held a video conferencing session with the district collectors. In the meeting, CM Pinarayi Vijayan instructed collectors to ensure that enough facilities are provided for those in the relief camps.
Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency Wayanad has been the worst affected with the maximum number of deaths, while Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki, and Kozhikode have also reported casualties.
Rahul Gandhi, who has been touring his constituency since Sunday, has assured all help to the people who are suffering.
“We are all with you in this hour of crisis and I call upon not just Congress workers, but all the people to work to ease the sufferings of the people. You don’t have to worry about your future as we will help you rebuild your lives,” said Gandhi while addressing a relief camp at Thiruvampady.
A red alert has been issued for three districts – Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki. An orange alert has been issued for nine other districts, CMO Kerala tweeted.
“Starting tomorrow, rains will be heavy in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki till Wednesday, while on Thursday it’s going to be isolated rains,” the IMD official said on Monday.
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.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Police on Monday registered 19 cases related to fake campaigns on social media over relief work for floods that have ravaged the state.
This swift action comes a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that those engaged in these acts are anti-social elements.
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.