PM Modi asks defence ministry to step up Kerala relief and rescue ops

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the Defence Ministry to step up rescue and relief operations across flood-hit Kerala after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called him this morning

“We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who also spoke to Vijayan said the Centre was sending additional teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to Kerala. More than 80 people have lost their lives after nonstop rain triggered floods and landslides in many parts of the state.

“Had a telephonic conversation with Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan regrading the prevailing flood situation in the state. The Centre is rushing additional NDRF teams to Kerala. We are providing all possible assistance. I am in constant touch with Kerala CM,” he tweeted.

Late Wednesday night, the Kerala Chief Minister had appealed for more personnel from the armed forces to boost rescue and relief operations in the state which has been struck by the worst natural calamity in its history.