Kerala rains: Rahul writes to PM, seeks release of adequate funds
August 11, 2018 16:34
Congress president Rahul Gandhi today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release sufficient funds to the Kerala government to help respond to the flood crisis and restore critical infrastructure in the state.
In a letter to the prime minister, Gandhi said the torrential rains, floods and wide-scale landslides have left behind a trail of destruction across Kerala.
Terming it as the "most severe disaster" that has struck the state in the last five decades, he said this natural calamity has resulted in massive economic and human losses
"At this juncture, it is critical to acknowledge the looming humanitarian crisis facing Kerala, he said.
He expressed the hope that the Centre would cooperate with the state government in the massive relief and rehabilitation efforts which were underway.
"I request you to release sufficient funds immediately to the state government, to enable the state to respond effectively, and work towards restoring critical infrastructure," Gandhi said in his letter to Modi.
He said the fishermen community is one of the worst affected and this disaster has dealt a "deadly blow" to them at a time when the fishing industry is yet to recover from the adverse impact of Ocki cyclone.
The Congress chief said the disaster has already claimed over 150 lives in the past month and the hilly and coastal districts of Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Alapuzha, Ernakulam and Kozhikode have borne extensive damage.
He noted that incessant rains have forced the state to open the shutters of 24 dams, and the resultant deluge is likely to cause massive destruction in downstream areas.
-- PTI
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