NCMC discusses supply position of essential commodities, medicines to Kerala

The Centre dispatched today 100 metric tonnes of pulses,

52 metric tonnes emergency medicines to Kerala besides ensuring supply of 2,600 MW power to the state, which was hit by a massive floods that claimed 216 lives so far.

The supply position to the southern state was discussed threadbare at an hour-long meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), which reviewed the rescue and relief operations in Kerala, an official spokesperson said.

The department of Consumer Affairs has dispatched 100 MT of pulses today, the Ministry of Health has airlifted 52 MT of emergency medicines and another 20 MT of medicines will reach the state by tonight.

 

Altogether 20MT of bleaching powder and one crore Chlorine tablets will be dispatched by tomorrow while 12 medical teams have also been put on standby and there has been no outbreak of any disease reported so far.

The Ministry of Power has moved equipment like electricity meters, coils, transformers etc., to restore the distribution network and the power generation has reached 2,600 MW and no difficulty is envisaged on this score, the spokesperson said.

The Department of Telecom has made operational 77,000 towers out of the total 85,000 towers in Kerala. Out of 1,407 telephone exchanges, except 13, all are made functional. The DoT has operationalised a helpline with number 1948 to help trace missing persons.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has made available 12,000 KL of Kerosene. Adequate arrangements have been made for distribution of LPG cylinders. Adequate aviation fuel is also made available.

With regard to cattle fodder, 450 MT has been dispatched. Two lots of veterinary medicines have also been dispatched.

Railways have offered to supply required amounts of water and also transport relief material free of cost. Adequate quantities of milk and milk power have been made available by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The meeting of the NCMC, which met for the fifth consecutive day, was also joined by Kerala Chief Secretary via video conference. He informed that there has been less rainfall and floodwater has started receding.

The NCMC meeting was attended by Secretaries of ministries including home, health, telecom, consumer affairs, food and public distribution, power, petroleum and natural gas, and senior officers of the defence forces, home affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).