Kerala floods: 90% of rescue operations completed
What's the story
In what can be seen as a silver lining in an otherwise bleak situation, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced a while back that 90% of rescue operations in the state had been completed. Now, with over 10 lakh people in relief camps across Kerala, the priority has shifted to providing health and sanitation facilities in these camps. Here are more details.
Twitter Post
Central forces are wrapping up rescue operations
#Update#Keralafloods2018 Engineer Task Force of 202 Engineer Regiment rescued total of 1850 personnel including patients, children , ladies and senior citizens. Provided food, water, clothing, medicines. We are at it. #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief @PIB_India @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/1j9jkf8qyP
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 20, 2018
Relief
The challenge has now shifted from rescue to relief
Currently, Kerala has around 5,500 relief camps which are housing over 10 lakh people. As the remainder of rescue operations get completed, this number is expected to rise even further. Understandably, the authorities' challenge has now shifted from rescue to relief. "Our priority right now is health and sanitation," confirmed Kerala health minister KK Shailaja.
Supplies
Thankfully, relief supplies have started arriving in Kerala
Thankfully, relief material from across India has started arriving in Kerala to provide assistance and support to people who have been devastated by unprecedented floods in the state. This afternoon, naval ship INS Deepak arrived at the Kochi port with over 800 tonnes of fresh water and nearly 18 tonnes of relief supplies. 3,757 medical camps have also been set up across Kerala.
Twitter Post
Relief activities being carried out in Kerala
#KeralaFloods: Relief items including ration, clothing and sanitary items being distributed to flood victims. A medical camp has been set up by #105RAF for people requiring urgent treatment at Challakudi, Thrissur, Kerala. pic.twitter.com/ioJq9QQ4d7
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 20, 2018
Need
Kerala now needs help to rebuild and recover
Meanwhile, Union minister KJ Alphons praised Central forces for "providing amazing service to Kerala", adding that the "biggest heroes" were fishermen who came to people's rescue. The minister, further, said that Kerala doesn't need food or clothes now, but plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other people from technical backgrounds to help the state rebuild infrastructure and recover from the devastation of the floods.