Kerala floods LIVE: Rahul Gandhi meets flood-affected people in Chengannur

Over 350 people have lost their lives so far and 869,000 are still in relief camps, with Kerala facing a loss of around Rs 20 billion

1:05 PM

1:05 PM

1:04 PM

Nation stands in solidarity with flood-hit Kerala, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed solidarity with Kerala and said that people from all walks of life across the country have come in support of those whose lives were devastated in the massive floods.

 

"In today's pressing, hard times, the entire nation is with Kerala. Our sympathies are with those families who lost their loved ones. Loss of lives cannot be compensated, but I assure the grief-stricken families that in this moment of suffering and misery, 125 crore Indians stand by them," Modi said in his monthly "Mann Ki Baat" programme.

1:03 PM

Kerala fears 4 to 5% decline in tourist arrivals due to floods

 

Flood-ravaged Kerala, for which tourism is the mainstay of its economy, is staring at 4 to 5 per cent decline in footfalls if the sector does not pick up from October, a senior tourism official has said.

 

The busiest airport in Kochi has been shut since August 16 and is expected to resume operations only from August 29.

10:31 AM

Experts raise questions on preventive steps, dam management; writes Gireesh Babu

 

Since many of the dams are inter-connected, experts believe that mismanaging just one of them can cause a disproportionate ripple effect

 

Does Kerala need an early warning system for its dams? A protocol for emptying the reservoirs before the monsoon perhaps? What about a drainage and canal master plan for the cities? 

 

Click here to read the full article

 

10:28 AM

Meet M A Yusuff Ali, tycoon who sparked talk of UAE's aid; writes Shine Jacob

 

For many, he is the Dhirubhai Ambani of #Kerala. For others, he is the most influential Indian in West Asia. 

 

Did he get the Rs 7-billion pledge from the UAE Crown Prince?

Click here to read the full article

 

10:26 AM

CPI leader approaches SC over foreign funds for Kerala flood

 

Binoy Viswam, Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala, on Saturday approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to Centre to allow or accept funds from foreign governments and international organisation as assistance for Kerala Floods.

 

Denial of foreign funds towards the flood relief would result in violation of Article 21 (right to life) of the people of Kerala, he said.

9:51 AM

Grim onam in Kerala

 

Onam is celebrated with great pomp across the state, but this time around festivities are the last thing on people's minds as they come to grip with the devastation.

 

The usual celebrations like "pookolam" (floral carpets) and preparing feasts were missing in many rain-affected areas while comparatively subdued elsewhere.



 

9:32 AM

Govt expedites restoration work

 

With water starting to recede in some of the flooded parts of Kerala, restoration process has been expedited in the state.

 

The Chief Minister Officer (CMO) in Kerala on Saturday tweeted that at least 1, 31, 683 houses wrecked in the floods have been cleaned, which is 31% of the total flood-hit houses.

 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said "Rs 10,000 will be transferred to the bank accounts of people who will leave relief camps and also to the people who have already left," according to ANI.

8:38 AM

'Amma' drinking water bottles for Kerala

 

Tamil Nadu government yesterday despatched one lakh litres of 'Amma' brand of bottled drinking water to flood-hit Kerala from Coimbatore 

 

A total of 42 types of relief materials, including rice, grains, medicines and essentials worth Rs 4 crore was also sent

8:37 AM

Huawei to repair its water-damaged phones in Kerala for free

 

In order to ensure the availability of services in the state, the company has activated technical teams across all operational authorised and exclusive service centres in Kerala

4:03 PM

CRPF personnel carry out relief operations in flood-hit Kerala

After carrying out extensive relief operations in rain hit areas of Kannur district, personnel of CRPF have shifted their focus to rehabilitating the flood affected people in some parts of Thrissur district.

 

A top CRPF official said a base camp has been established at Kerala Police Academy in Thrissur on August 22 and liaised with district administration for effective rehabilitation work.

 

To begin with more than 300 personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) joined hands with people of Mala Grama Panchayat in cleaning various schools, colleges, government buildings and badly damaged houses owing to land slides and accumulation of sludge, etc carried by flood waters, he said.

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1:52 PM

265 dead in Kerala floods since August 8, 36 still missing

The death toll in Kerala floods has touched 265 since August 8 while 36 people are still missing, the latest government figures show, even as the state prepares to mount a massive rehabilitation process for the displaced.

 

The hilly district of Idukki, housing the largest arch dam in Asia from which waters were released for the first time in 26 years, has been hit the hardest -- 51 deaths and 10 still missing, as per the latest figures released by the Disaster Management State Control Room.

11:59 AM

Dubai-based Emirates to carry 175 tonnes of relief cargo

 

Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo will carry flood relief cargo of more than 175 tonnes to the southern Indian state of Kerala, which is reeling under the flood fury from the past couple of weeks.

 

The airline company is expected to send over more than a dozen flights to transport the relief goods, which have been donated by scores of organisations and UAE-based businesses, to Thiruvananthapuram--- the nearest online Emirates station to the areas which are most affected by the heavy downpour and flooding.