Kochi, Aug 18 (DC): Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, on Saturday August 18, conducted aerial survey of flood-hit Kerala where 324 people have died in last nine days.
PM Modi announced an interim relief of Rs 500 crore in addition to Rs 100 crore already announced.
Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lac per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured, from Prime Minister's National Relief Funds (PMNRF).
According to reports, the aerial survey was cancelled on Saturday morning due to bad weather.
Kerala is witnessing one of the most savage monsoons in over a century with over 2 lac people being displaced since August 8.
PM Narendra Modi held a meeting with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union minister K J Alphons and other officials on Saturday morning.
The PM arrived at Kerala on Friday night.
Till now, 42 Navy, 16 Army, 28 Coast Guard and 39 National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams were engaged in rescue operations. Another 14 NDRF teams are expected to reach shortly.
Last Sunday, Union home minister Rajnath Singh had undertaken and aerial survey of the flood-ravaged state and the centre had extended a Rs 100 crore package.
Thousands of people are still perched on trees and rooftops, waiting to be rescued.
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