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Kerala Disaster: Putin writes to Kovind, Modi; expresses grief as death toll rises to 373

News Nation Bureau New Delhi Updated on: 21 Aug 2018, 18:41 PM

The flood in Kerala has ebbed, but the nightmare has just begun. As the flood water recedes, thousands return to damaged homes and properties with nothing to hold on to. Millions are still struggling to survive in relief camps. And the death toll is only rising. According to official reports, the death toll has touched 373 since the monsoon fury hit the state on August 8, the worst in 100 years. The maximum deaths were reported from Idukki district, where 43 people have lost their lives so far. The disastrous flood has claimed twenty-eight lives in Malappuram and 27 in Thrissur.

Meanwhile, train and flight services, which had collapsed following the flood have been partially restored. The train services in Kayankulam-Kottayam-Ernakulam and Palakkad-Shoranur-Kozhikkode sections have been resumed while the Trivandrum- Ernakulam section was connected by special trains for the flood period.

Also Read | Who loves a good flood? Dealers, consumers eyeing luxury cars at throwaway prices

Routes and traffic in the worst-hit areas, including Aluva-Thrissur, Thrissur-Shoranur, Kayamkulam-Kottayam- Ernakulam Shoranur-Tirur, Shoranur- Palakkad have been fixed. Few special trains are also operational via Trivandrum, Tirunelveli, and Madurai to Chennai, Egmore, Howarah, Gorakhpur, Bhubaneswar routes to evacuate the stranded people across the state.

Besides that, the Southern Railway had begun running 159 Express trains and 11 passenger trains to ease the communication system all over Kerala. Efforts to restore other essential services are also in full swing with phone connectivity being restored 90 per cent of the state. As per the concerned authority, the issues of water scarcity, lack of fuel and animal fodder are also being resolved. Necessary steps will be taken to eradicate water carried diseases, especially in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Read | Kerala Disaster - Wrath of God or Man-made Disaster

Highlights on Kerala Floods:

# 02:51 PM: Russian President Vladimir Putin writes to President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi, expresses condolences over lives lost in Kerala floods.

# 02:42 PM: 373 dead in Kerala since May 30 due to rains, floods, landslides.

# 02:33 PM: Kerala floods: Kochi airport suffers estimated loss of over Rs 220 cr

# 02:30 PM: Bajaj Auto announces Rs 2 cr contribution for Kerala flood relief

# 12:31 AM: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel transport patients on improvised floaters in Chengannur's Pandanad in Alappuzha district.

# 11:44 AM: Coimbatore: 105 battalions of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and G 36 group of Rotary clubs dispatch relief material in 10 trucks for flood victims in Kerala's Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha.

# 11:39 AM: Kerala cabinet has decided to recommend to the Governor to convene a special assembly session on August 30th to discuss relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Kerala after floods: CM Vijayan.

# 11:30 AM: United Arab Emirates (UAE) offered financial assistance of Rs 700 crores for Kerala Floods: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

# 10:00 AM: Restoration work started at Chalakudy market in Thrissur after a decrease in the water level in the district.

# 09:17 AM: Indian Air Force's C-130J om Monday airlifted medical team consisting of 96 doctors led by Medical Education Minister of Maharashtra Girish Mahajan from Mumbai to Trivandrum.

# 09:07 AM: MP Police has donated Rs 1.31 crore to Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Further, all police personnel of MP will donate 1 day's salary for the same purpose: Madhya Pradesh DGP Rishi Kumar Shukla.

# 08:40 AM: Kerala government calls for an all-party meeting over flood situation in the state at 4 pm on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram.

# 08:32 AM: I feel it is a natural disaster. People of Kerala are dignified and have self-respect. Govt has sanctioned Rs 500 crores & other states have also donated. I think they don't want our money, they need our prayers: Michael Lobo, Goa Deputy speaker.

# 08:30 AM: The train services which had collapsed following the incessant downpour in Kerala have been partially restored.

# 08:27 AM: Tripura govt has announced to donate Rs 1 crore to Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. We are willing to extend maximum help in accordance with our financial condition, says CM Biplab Kumar Deb.

# 08:21 AM: The Government of Maldives extended help to India by donating USD 50,000 for the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit southern state of Kerala.

# 08:15 AM: Members of Maharashtra's Nagpur's Keraleeya Samajam have cancelled their Onam celebration and are sending financial aid for flood-affected people in Kerala.

# 08:05 AM: CJI Dipak Misra and all Supreme Court judges on Monday decided to contribute Rs 25,000 each for the State of Kerala voluntarily to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

# 08:00 AM: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel of 27th Battalion have been carrying out relief works in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala.

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First Published : 21 Aug 2018, 08:36 AM

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