Kerala Floods: Over six lakh in relief camps; focus on food, medicine as fear of disease arises

The situation in flood-ravaged Kerala has improved and water has started receding in some areas after rain alleviated on Sunday. Over 350 people have died so far in Kerala, facing century’s worst flooding. With over 6 lakh people taking shelter in nearly 3,000 relief camps, the government has asked the officials to focus on providing food, medicine and fuel in the southern state.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that most of the affected people had been rescued and the government will now focus on rebuilding. With the state government shifting focus on rehabilitation, the fear of disease outbreak in the relief camps has arisen.

So far, no reports of any disease outbreak surfaced in the area but the Health Ministry has set up over 3,500 medical camps across the state.

“While no outbreak of any communicable disease has been reported, health experts opine that once floodwaters start to recede, the environment will become conducive for epidemic diseases. The state has been asked for daily surveillance to detect early warning signs of any outbreak,” the ministry said in a statement.

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Taking precautionary measures, three people with chickenpox in Aluva town of the state have been isolated. High-range Idukki district, Malappuram and Ernakulam are the worst hit areas which saw its mighty Mullaperiyar Dam and Idukki reservoirs being opened.

As the God’s own country struggles with the deadly disaster, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar along with several other Indian states have extended helping hands to the people of the flood-hit state.

Qatar Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on Sunday took to Twitter and extended his condolences to the flood-hit state and its people and announced that Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has allocated 5 million dollars for the flood relief.

Also Read | Kerala Flood: Qatar, UAE help 'God's Own Country' with $5 Million

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that all the MLAs and MPs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will donate their one month’s salary to help the people of flood affected Kerala. Earlier, the Delhi CM had announced Rs 10 crore funds for Kerala.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced Rs 20 crore as immediate assistance for the flood-affected people of Kerala. Fadnavis informed that around 11 ton of food dry food packets will be sent for the people of the state.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas and announced Rs 500 crore package for the state. Modi assured Kerala CM Naveen Patnaik of all the possible help from Centre.

(With inputs from agencies)