The Government has scaled up efforts to rescue thousands of citizens stranded in the flood-affected areas in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the situation in the four districts was still very grim with the rising water level posing difficulties for rescue teams. Efforts were on to provide food and water to the marooned families, he told the media after a review meeting.
Units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and NDRF, assisted by state government agencies and volunteers were trying to rescue people from flooded areas right from 6 am on Friday.
Mr.Vijayan who earlier talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman said the Central government had made arrangements to supply 100,000 food packets to the flood-affected areas in Kerala. More than 2,23,000 people were shifted to 1568 relief camps.
Mr.Vijayan said 10 helicopters had been pressed into service and four more were expected to reach the flood- hit areas. Another 15 helicopters were kept on standby for deployment in the worst affected areas.
As many as 150 boats were also deployed. The Army has deployed 16 teams and the NDRF 39. The Centre had agreed to send 14 additional teams of the NDRF to the State.
About 4000 people had been rescued by the NDRF and 550 by the Navy so far. Mr.Vijayan said all the marooned people were expected to be rescued by Friday evening.
Relying to questions, he said the Prime Minister and various union ministers were aware of the gravity of the situation in Kerala and had acted accordingly to provide men and materials for the rescue operations.
