Deluge thins, Kerala tries to pick up pieces

Sreevalsan Thiyyadi

The deluge thinned to occasional drizzle in several parts of Kerala under an overcast sky on Monday, but human minds shone with readiness to help fellow beings affected by the week-long downpour. The state showed semblance of a return to normalcy, as many people came back to their homes, nursing hopes of resuming life.

Relief camps totalling 3,224 reported an attendance of 10,28,073 people, while rescue operations neared an end with 602 people saved. A chunk of them was from Chengannur, where four villages around it in coastal Alappuzha district turned out to be the last post of assignment for the armed forces and voluntary organisations.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan lauded the untiring efforts of the public. On August 29, members of the fishermen community would be honoured. There will not be an official celebration of Onam, the CM said. The tacit implication: now is  not the time to rejoice over the festival of harvest.

Govt declares it Calamity of ‘severe nature’ 

• The Home Ministry has declared the Kerala floods a ‘calamity of severe nature’.  When a calamity is declared to be of ‘severe nature’ support to the state is provided at the national level. 

• Losses Rs 20,000 crore

• Toll 216 since Aug 8  

SC judges to donate Rs 25,000 

• CJI Dipak Misra on Monday announced that all SC judges would contribute to the Kerala flood relief fund. A circular said the CJI and judges have decided to contribute Rs 25,000 each toward the CM’s Relief Fund. TNS

Capt appeals for help

• Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has appealed to Punjabis to help Kerala and its people
• A spokesperson said three planeloads with 90 MT relief material had been dispatched from Halwara IAF station. One C-17 transport aircraft with 50 MT aid was also dispatched from the Adampur airbase