Knowledge

Kerala Flood : A Glance

Described as one of the worst since 1924 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the rains in Kerala have left over 350 dead and rendered thousands of people homeless. According to the latest tally, 80,000 have been rescued so far. Over 1,500 relief camps have been set up across the state that currently house at least 2,23,139 people.

Contributions totalling as much as Rs 1,032 crore have poured into the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Rs 43 crore that came into CMDRF through Paytm are a fair indication of how sympathetic people are contributing their mite.

The Reliance Foundation tops the list of corporate donors with Rs 71 crore aid in cash and kind, while Telangana with Rs 25 crore, followed by Maharashtra with Rs 20 crore, has led the 23 states that have contributed Rs 207 crore so far.

Social media has widely publicised the different ways in which contributions can be made to the fund. Though amounts small as well as big have been coming into the account from across the country. Facebook, Paytm, Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato and many other companies have tried their best for #KeralaFlood Relief.

Goonj along with its partner organizations is working tirelessly on the ground to provide immediate support. Goonj’s Team headed by founder Anshu Gupta is in the field assessing the situation and is setting up relief operations. For the last two decades, Goonj has been deeply involved in disaster related work across the country. It has an existing network of communities and partners that are active throughout the year in areas of rural development. At the time of disaster, this network is intensified as a powerful tool of change.

One out of every two villages in Kerala was inundated, affecting one out of every six person in the state. While official toll stands at 483, about a lakh buildings were fully or partially damaged. The destruction took in its sweep some 96,000 kilometre of roads, 220 bridges and 57,000 hectares of agricultural land. The state’s famed tourism sector, one of its primary sources of revenue, is in a shambles. Thousands of people have lost their sources of livelihoods. The state pegs its total loss at Rs 20,000 crore for the time being. At least 23 people have died due to rat fever in the last few days.

It’s likely that Kerala may ask the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for loans totalling at least Rs 3,500 crore, though it may get only a fraction of it.

Of the total 35,717 metric tonnes of waste that has been collected in Kerala, 14,297 metric tonnes is biodegradable while 18,541 tonnes is solid waste, including plastic and electronic gadget.

Municipal bodies have been able to dispose of only 13,297 tonnes of waste until now.

Let’s Pray For Kerala ! Donate For Kerala ! Stand For Kerala !

https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/

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