Flood death toll at 324 as crisis mounts
KOCHI: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi promised the floodravaged state of Kerala more helicopters, boats and other equipment needed to evacuate tens of thousands of stranded people as he was given an aerial tour of stricken areas yesterday.
There are growing fears that the death toll, already in the hundreds, could escalate rapidly, with so many people marooned, desperate for food and potable water.
The chief minister of the southwestern state estimated two million had been forced to move into relief camps since the monsoon season brought torrential rains three months ago.
He put the death toll from floods and landslides at 324. An official said yesterday 185 people had died since August 8, when the waters began to rise, causing Kerala’s worst floods in a century.
“More helicopters, boats and other equipment are being sought and Modi promised to provide all of these as fast as possible,” Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Modi also gave assurances that the federal government would send desperately needed grains as storage in the state had been flooded and stocks destroyed.
As the rescue efforts ramped up, more army boats and helicopters were operating in the worst-affected areas to “save as many people as possible”, the government official involved in the rescue operation said from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.
In some areas thousands of people remained stranded on roof tops and in the upper floors of buildings. According to a lawmaker in Pathanamthitta district, about 10 000 people were stranded and in grave danger unless they were rescued urgently.
Monsoon rains were likely to ease from today, said the India Meteorological Department. – Reuters/african News Agency (ANA)