KERALA LOSES OVER 300 TO WRATH OF THE FLOODS

THOUSANDS HOMELESS RAIN TO GO ON

TRIVANDRUM: The “worst floods of the century” has killed 324 people in Kerala since last week, Chief Minister Pinarayi Viajayan said on Friday.

BABY BORN

Sajita Jabil, a pregnant woman stranded in Chengamanad near Aluva, had developed complications with a ruptured amniotic sac. The 25-year-old was stuck on the rooftop of her house. It was an Indian Navy chopper that had flown especially to rescue and end her nightmare. She gave birth to a child at a private hospital on Friday.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the intensity of rain across the state will decline by Sunday. Heavy to moderate rainfall will occur on Saturday. From Sunday, almost

all the 14 districts would receive light to moderate rainfall, according to IMD director K Santhosh.

Vijayan said the situation continued to be grim, and thousands remained stuck in their homes in remote villages cut off from the rest.

More than 150,000 people have been shifted to 1,200 relief camps. Twelve additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising about 540 personnel, were rushed to the state, in addition to the 18 teams already deployed. Personnel from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force were also pressed into service.

So far, the Union government has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed. 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets.