Kerala floods: Death toll rises 167, rescue operation continues

Asia World

Kerala floods: Death toll touches 167, rescue operation continues

Kerala is currently struggling to stay afloat in the middle of its worst flooding in 90 years, which has killed 167 people and caused unprecedented loss to property. Desperate for help, residents have been uploading SOS videos on social media, seeking rescue boats and relief supplies. Around 80% of the state is without power as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has cut supply in view of submerged roads and building.

Ecologists have accused the administration of sitting on a disaster in the making when the government refused to implement the Gadgil Committee’s recommendations in 2011. Compounding the problem, the rains show no signs of relenting. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is said to have been unhappy with the late deployment of helicopters in rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach the state tonight following the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and undertake an aerial survey tomorrow.

Death toll due to floods has risen to 167: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/zartEut6tj
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

Army, Navy, Air Force and NDRF personnel have begun rescuing people stranded in the worst affected areas of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts from this morning. Many elderly persons and women with young children were rescued since this morning. Local fishermen have also joined the rescue mission bringing in their boats to help in evacuation of the stranded people in various places in Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy. A weather report at 7 am has predicted heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds in various parts of the state today. Winds at the speed of 60 kmph are expected in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

#OpMadad #KeralaFloods2018 #KeralaFloodRelief Some snapshots of Rescue efforts 1/n pic.twitter.com/TzH0hcag7b
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 16, 2018

Aircraft hangars turn relief shelters at the @IndianNavy’s INS Garuda base in Kochi tonight. pic.twitter.com/eMcnLb1N4e
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 16, 2018

#OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 Relief camps set up inside an aircraft hangar in Naval Base Kochi @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @nsitharaman @DG_PIB pic.twitter.com/WZzmLAKX3D
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 16, 2018