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Kerala on Tuesday sought a Rs 2,600 crore special package from the Center even as the state struggled to find its feet after the devastating deluge that killed 373 people since May 30 and forced 10 lakh people out of their homes.Over 54.11 lakh people in Kerala have been affected in the floods of which 12.47 lakh inmates have taken shelter in 5,645 relief camps since May 30.
The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 59 teams and 207 boats, the army has deployed 23 teams and 104 boats, the navy has deployed 94 teams for the rescue and relief operations.
The Coast Guard has deployed 36 teams, 49 boats, two helicopters, 23 fixed wing helicopters, two fixed wing aircraft and 27 hired boats.
The Air Force has deployed 22 helicopters, 23 fixed wing aircraft while the Central Reserve Police Force has deployed 10 teams and the Border Security Force has deployed three company comprising 300 personnel.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a meeting of the State Cabinet, which decided to seek a special package from the Center for the Centrally-sponsored schemes including the latter's flagship rural employment program MNREGS.Vijayan said a special session of the assembly was convened on August 30 to discuss the situation, the worst in the century.
Vijayan said Kerala will also ask the Center to increase the limit of loan for the massive rebuilding exercise after 13 of the state's 14 districts are savaged by floods, traumatising people and devastating its infrastructure.
The Chief Minister had earlier said the state had suffered damages of about Rs 20,000 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and two other union ministers have agreed for the interim assistance of Rs 680 crore for the state.
Vijayan said the United Arab Emirates has promised an aid of Rs 700 crore for the state's reconstruction!!.
The government and defense force said the person was brought to safety. Over 1.63 lakh people were rescued in the last five days alone..
The Minister also thanked the National Dairy Development Board for providing the huge quantities of tetra pack milk and public sector oil companies which came together and gave them Rs 25 crore to the Kerala chief minister for flood relief.
