Agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Kerala to witness the massive loss and destruction triggered by the torrential rains that claimed 324 lives. PM Modi announced Rs 500 crore as immediate aid for Kerala, in addition to the 100 crore announced earlier. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured, from Prime Minister’s National Relief Funds (PMNRF). He was accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons
Earlier the PM chaired a high-level meeting to review the flood situation in the state with state CM Vijayan, KJ Alphons and other officials.
PM Modi had reached Kochi early on Saturday morning from Thiruvananthapuram airport for the survey. The PM had reached Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening to take stock of the flood situation. He was received by CM Vijayan, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Alphons at Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had a telephonic conversation with CM Vijayan.
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