The Kerala government will organize a farewell for various defence forces who helped in relief and rescue operations during the recent unprecedented floods in the state, announced Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while addressing a presser on Wednesday evening.


The Chief Minister said, "The government has decided to organise a farewell on August 26 to express its love and gratitude towards the various defence forces that helped in relief and rescue operations in the state".


Indian Air Force, Navy and Army deployed defence personnel including medical teams, engineers, paratroopers and divers to help during relief and rescue operations in Kerala.


Commenting on the initial warnings and efforts made by the government before the unprecedented floods, the Kerala Chief Minister said, "On July 30 water levels were below orange alert and till August 7 water was receding, on August 8 heavy rain started and water levels began to increase. On August 15 Mullaperiyar Dam was opened. Nobody could have foreseen this but still, warnings were given and evacuations were done."


With flood water receding and no latest forecast of heavy rainfall in the state, the coastal region is making efforts to return towards normalcy.
-- ANI




Image: The Indian Army's twitter handle, @adgpi posted this picture of rescue and rehab ops in Kerala saying, "The mother of the 45 day old baby was all in tears when men in uniform arrived at their doorstep. She was quick to handover the child to #IndianArmy personnel from 19 Madras Regiment trusting them with her child more than herself.We are at it. #OpMadad"