Kerala Flood Death Toll Crosses 300, 7.25 Lakh Stranded In Relief Camps As Water Begins To Recede

Even as floods in Kerala begin to recede, estimates of the death toll have crossed 300 while the total number of deaths since the start of monsoon in June have been estimated at 400. The Kerala Chief minister (CM) had claimed that the death toll was 324 as of 17 August.

After a week of heavy downpours, rains have reduced today (20 August). Army copters have been looking for trapped survivors in remote villages in different parts of the state.

The death toll could rise further as more loss of human life may be unraveled during search and rescue operations. 7.25 lakh people have been stranded in the 5,645 relief camps in the state and authorities now fear the outbreak of diseases in the aftermath of the flood. The Kerala CM has said that the priority was now on providing clean drinking water and restoring power supply in the state.

In the worst affected areas of Thrissur and Chengannur, rescuers are searching inundated houses for survivors and Kerala’s fishermen have sailed inland to join the search and rescue operations. The state government has announced that each boat would get Rs 3,000 for each day of their assistance. Authorities have also promised to pay for any damages to their boats.