Army rescues 22, 000 people stranded in flood-hit Kerala

Military teams and disaster response forces and local fisherman ultimately reached some of the remotest and worst flood-hit areas to rescue over 22, 000 people marooned in the flood-hit state of Kerala, India, on Sunday,

Helicopters brought supplies and goods trains brought fresh water to communities cut-off by two weeks of incessant rain. The Government is racing to fight against water-borne diseases.

Over the weekend  India’s army, navy and airforce used  helicopters and boats  in a massive operation to rescues to rescue 20,000 villagers stranded in remote areas.

According to authorities floods had destroyed 20, 000 houses, displaced over 700, 000 and submerged 40, 000 Hectares of farmland including those growing tea, rubber and other commodities and damaged 51, 600 miles of roads, including 10,000miles of major arteries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the weekend said New Delhi would provide £55m to help Kerala with its relief efforts, although Pinarayi Vijayan, the state’s Chief minister, appealed for £222m. Qatar has donated £4m to the rescue effort.

The opposition Congress party, has accused the premier of paying a “political partisan game” by giving only meagre relief to the state ruled  by his opponents a leftwing coalition. However, other states and several Indian citizens  have stepped up to send funds and relief supplies to displaced citizens now sheltering in nearly 4,000 relief camps, set up in local schools, colleges and public facilities.

Kerala now faces the prospect of a long and difficult road to recovery. The state electricity board was also developing a plan to restore power. The meteorologists has predicted easing of the heavy rains that had battered the state in the last fortnight.