Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Kerala on the evening of August 17 after attending the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Union Minister for Tourism K.J. Alphons told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram late on August 16 that the Prime Minister will reach Kochi, stay overnight and return only on the morning of August 18 after conducting an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas. The State government would decide which all areas that the Prime Minister should survey, Mr. Alphons said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh had conducted an aerial survey of the flood affected areas on Sunday and announced an immediate assistance of ₹100 crore to the State.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had spoken to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman earlier on August seeking addition deployment of aircraft, personnel and resources. Talking to reporters a while ago, Mr. Vijayan said the Centre had responded positively to his pleas and the State expected additional aircraft carrying personnel and food articles during the night and early morning.