Kerala Has Been Hit By Devastating Floods - Here’s How You Can Help

PTI

Heavy rains and tremendous flooding have the people of Kerala reeling as the situation continues to grow dim with a reported death toll of 72. The Meteorological department has predicted heavy to very heavy rains to continue till August 18 and there seems to be no respite in sight for the citizens of the region. Thousands of homes have been destroyed by the flood and shops have been washed away. The disaster has caused immeasurable devastation for the people and for the first time in history, 27 dams in the State were forced to be opened. “Never before had the State witnessed a calamity of this scale,” stated CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

The NDRF, Army, Navy and Coast Guard continue to conduct rescue operations and the mobilisation of the locals to help others in need are filling up the relief camps. The State and its people need our help and support in the form of finances and essential resources and amenities to help the people to get through this trying time and start to rebuild their lives.

There is a lot you can do and it’s time to step up.

Kerala Rescue is an initiative by the State government, Kerala State IT Mission and IEEE Kerala Section for an effective collaboration and communication between authorities and the public regarding relief activities and rescue missions. On the website, you can request for help, find all relevant contact information, find each districts needs and collection centres (for clean drinking water, medicines, clothes, food, bedding, toiletries) and register yourself as a volunteer.

Financially, you can donate money to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund online here (tax-free) or do a transfer to the following account:

Account number: 67319948232
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram
IFS Code: SBIN0070028
PAN: AAAGD0584M
Name of Donee: CMDRF

You can mail a cheque/DD addressed as follows:
The Principal Secretary (Finance) Treasurer,
Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund,
Secretariat,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695001

Citizens and NGOs are mobilising to collect donations across the country with multiple drop-off points, some we have found as posted below and we will update the page as we find more:

– Mumbai – The VF Foundation is accepting donations and will be transporting amenities to relief camps in Kerala. They’re coordinating drop points, to know about their process in detail and for any other query you can contact:

VF Foundation,
Wadala (E)-Mumbai 37
1. Joel Jose - 7738389440.
2. Jose Thomas – 9867723495

– The Robin Hood Army has started a drive to collect rice to send to relief camps – donate online here.

– There is a live Google Map that shows the availability of resources around Kerala – view it here.