Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday saluted the people of Kerala for their fighting spirit and assured the nation's support to the state, after conducting aerial survey of the flood ravaged state where the calamity has claimed 324 lives.
"I salute the people of Kerala for their fighting spirit... The nation stands firmly with Kerala in this hour," Modi said in a series of tweets after chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation.
The prime minister said his thoughts were with those who have lost their lives in the deluge and hoped that the injured would recover soon. "My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives due to incessant flooding across Kerala. I hope the injured recover at the earliest. We all pray for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala," he tweeted.
I salute the people of Kerala for their fighting spirit. I compliment the authorities for their efforts in this adverse situation.
I would also like to appreciate the wide support and solidarity from people across India towards Kerala during this unprecedented situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
NDRF teams, companies of BSF, CISF and RAF are deployed in the state for rescue and relief operations.
The Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard are assisting operations in different parts of Kerala.
Rescuing those who are trapped remains the topmost priority.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
The Central Government is ensuring that the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MGNREGA, various social security schemes, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture reach those affected on a priority basis in Kerala.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
Centre is providing all possible assistance to Kerala. This includes financial assistance, providing food grains and medicines. We have asked the NHAI, NTPC, PGCIL to render all possible assistance and cater to basic infrastructure needs in the wake of the floods.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives due to incessant flooding across Kerala. I hope the injured recover at the earliest.
We all pray for the safety and wellbeing of the people of Kerala. https://t.co/vLZ2GjazGH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
In Kerala, I took stock of the situation arising in the wake of the devastating floods across the state.
Joined a review meeting and undertook an aerial survey to assess the damage caused by flooding.
The nation stands firmly with Kerala in this hour. pic.twitter.com/PFeWTTZAwl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2018
Modi also complimented the authorities for their efforts in the adverse situation and appreciated the wide support and solidarity extended by people from across the country for Kerala during the "unprecedented" situation.
Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister K J Alphons accompanied the prime minister during the aerial survey.
PM Modi announced Rs 500 crore as immediate aid for Kerala, in addition to the 100 crore announced earlier. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured, from Prime Minister’s National Relief Funds (PMNRF). He was accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons
Earlier the PM chaired a high-level meeting to review the flood situation in the state with state CM Vijayan, KJ Alphons and other officials.
Over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.