PM has directed Insurance Companies to hold special camps for assessment and timely release of compensation to the… https://t.co/ijbz799K5u — PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1534576098000

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra after reviewing the flood situation in Kerala today announced an immediate financial assistance of Rs 500 crore for the rain-battered Kerala.The Rs 500 crore financial assistance in addition to Rs 100 crore aid already given to the state for the relief and rehabilitation work.In addition to the financial aid, the Prime Minister also promised to provide relief material including food grains, medicines etc.PM Modi also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh per person to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement said.PM Modi, who landed in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening, directed the insurance companies to hold special camps for the affected people and settle their dues at the earliest.Similar instructions were issued for the National Highway Authority of India and other state-owned companies such as NTPC and PGCIL and urged them to restore road and power lines.The Prime Minister also announced that villagers whose kutcha houses have been damaged will be offered the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin houses, irrespective of the priority in the Permanent Wait List of PMAY-G. The floods in the state have caused extensive damage to property worth millions of rupees. Lakhs of people have been rendered homeless and have lost belongings worth millions of rupees.Horticulture farmers whose crops have been destroyed will be provided assistance for replantation of damaged crops.Assuring the state of all possible assistance, the Prime Minister said that additional forces will be deployed in the flood-affected state where at least 187 people have lost their lives since August 9."Fifty-seven Teams of NDRF involving about 1300 personnel and 435 Boats are deployed for search and rescue operations. Five Companies of BSF, CISF and RAF’s have been deployed in the State to carry out rescue and relief measures," the PMO said in a tweet.The Prime Minister further informed that Army, Navy and Air Force have been pressed into service to help in the relief and rescue work. "A total of 38 helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief measures. In addition, 20 Aircraft are also being used for ferrying resources," the PMO said.All the three wings of defence forces have been desperately trying to provide relief assistance to the stranded people. In the wake of the deteriorating situation, the state government had asked Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to mobilize additional manpower, boats and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations. Food packets and drinking water are also being rushed."Army has deployed 10 Columns and 10 Teams of Engineering Task Force (ETFs) involving around 790 trained personnel’s. Navy is providing 82 teams. The Coast Guard has provided 42 teams; 2 helicopters and 2 ships," the PMO provided details of the deployment.