Centre allocates Rs 2,117 crore to flood-hit states; Kerala left out
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New Delhi: The Centre on Monday approved an advance allocation of Rs 2,117.85 crore as emergency relief for flood-hit states from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
A special ministerial committee has also been appointed to assess flood and landslide situations in states including Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Gujarat and Maharashtra have been allotted Rs 500 crore each, while Assam will receive Rs 379.35 crore, Himachal Pradesh Rs 193.95 crore and Andhra Pradesh Rs 44.55 crore.
Kerala, however, has not been included in the latest relief package, even as the state continues to face severe hardship following flash floods and intense rainfall in recent days.
More than 10 deaths have been reported in the state, while several people remain missing and many others have sustained injuries. Strong winds and heavy rain have also caused widespread damage to houses. Across the state, 5,792 people have been shifted to 209 relief camps.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said in a Facebook post that the government is fully prepared to handle any emergency, even as the intensity of the rain has slightly eased.
He said sanitation work and relief measures will be carried out immediately. He added that the government is in constant touch with the Revenue Minister, district ministers and district administrations.
Sanitation work has begun in areas where floodwaters are receding to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. The Chief Minister also urged political workers and voluntary organisations to join the efforts.
He said immediate government assistance will be ensured for the families of those who died in the rain-related incidents, as well as for those who lost their homes and means of livelihood.
Although rainfall has reduced, he warned that the threat of landslips and landslides remains in the hilly regions, and cautioned people to remain alert. He also said the public can contact government systems at any time in case of emergencies.