Kerala Floods Resulted 293 Dead, Over 8.69 Lakh People In Relief Camps
- 25-Aug-2018
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Thiruvanantapuram: The death toll due to the devastating rains and floods in Kerala since August 8 has increased to 293 while 15 people are still missing, according to the latest figures released by the government.
The hilly district of Idukki, home to the largest arch dam in Asia and whose shutters were opened after 26 years on August 9, bore the brunt of the flood fury with the maximum number of deaths. Latest figures released by the Disaster Management State Control Room show that 51 people have lost their lives and 10 are still reported to be missing in Idukki.
While Thrissur has reported 43 deaths, Ernakulam has recorded 38 deaths. Alappuzha has registered 34 deaths. Malappuram, on the other hand, has recorded 30 deaths. Over 8.69 lakh people are still residing in 2,287 relief camps.
The rain-battered state is slowly limping back to normalcy. On Saturday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised on sanitation activities to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases and said 1,31,683 houses, about 31 per cent of the total number of affected houses, have been cleaned and is ready for occupancy. The CM also said that electricity has also been restored for 23.36 lakh connections of the 25.6 lakh disrupted. At least 14,314 transformers (out of 16,158 affected) have resumed functioning.
UAE aid row
Amid efforts to bring the state back to normalcy, a row has erupted between political parties over the UAE’s alleged offer of Rs 700 crore to the flood-ravaged state. On August 21, while addressing the media, Vijayan had said, “The UAE government is willing to help us.
However, tthe Centre made it clear that India would not take aid from foreign governments for Kerala flood relief. It has been India’s policy since the 2004 tsunami to use domestic funds for rehabilitation after natural disasters.
