Rahul Gandhi urges Center to declare Kerala floods national disaster

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded the Central government to declare Kerala floods a national disaster. Gandhi took to Twitter and stated that the "lives, livelihood and future of millions of our people is at stake". 

"Please declare Kerala floods a national disaster without any delay. The lives, livelihood and future of millions of our people is at stake," Gandhi tweeted out. 

Kerala continues to get pounded by heavy rains and devastating floods with the situation worsening over the past few days. The death toll has dramatically shot up to over 300 people with a cumulative loss of state property worth over Rs ₹19,512 crore. 

The Supreme Court, this week, described Kerala's situation as grave. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan noted that for the first time in the history of Kerala "almost all dams have been opened". 

In the wake of the destructive deluge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kerala last night and undertook an aerial survey of the state this morning. 

The Central government has released Rs 500 crore for relief and rescue work in Kerala, over and above Rs 100 crore announced by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 12.

Various state governments have also come up with all possible assistance. Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Haryana and Bihar have announced an aid of Rs 10 crore each for flood-hit Kerala. 

Jharkhand Chief Minister and Odisha CM have announced Rs 5 crore each for relief and rescue mission in Kerala. Maharashtra has allotted Rs 20 crore for Kerala to battle the destructive deluge.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an aid of Rs 10 crore to Kerala adding that AAP ministers and MLAs will contribute their one month's salary for relief and rescue mission in Kerala. 

Army, Navy and Air force teams have been knee deep in relief and rescue work.