Odisha Govt Announces Additional Rs 5 Cr For Kerala Flood Victims

Bhubaneswar: Considering the enormity of the devastating flood in Kerala, the Odisha government on Sunday announced an additional financial assistance of Rs 5 crore for the flood-hit people.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the state government would provide this financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) in addition to the Rs 5 crore sanctioned earlier on August 19.

Expressing grief at the loss of lives in the devastating and unprecedented flood of this century, Naveen said that the people of Odisha stand by the people of Kerala at this hour of severe distress. “Odisha knows what a natural calamity of this magnitude means to the common man,” he pointed out.

Around 500 MT of polythene sheets worth about Rs 8 crore will be sent to the southern Indian state, he added.

Stating that 244 Fire Service personnel with 75 rescue boats and other equipment have been sent to Kerala to help in the rescue operations, he directed the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) to remain in touch with the authorities and extend all help to the people from Odisha stranded in Kerala.

The Labour department of Odisha has already rushed officials to Kerala to ensure the safety of Odia labourers affected by the flood.