Declare floods national disaster: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the Kerala floods as “National Disaster”. “Dear PM, please declare #Kerala floods a National Disaster without any delay. The lives, livelihood and future of millions of our people is at stake,” Mr Gandhi tweeted. He further added, “Across Kerala & now Kodagu in Karnataka, heavy rainfall has caused widespread devastation. This is the time for our workers & leaders to demonstrate the core Congress values of service & love. Please focus all our resources & people to help those in need.”

Reacting to the announcement of Rs 500 crores for Kerala relief by the central government, Mr Gandhi said, “ Increasing funds allocated for Kerala relief to Rs 500 crores is a good step but nowhere near enough. It is critical you declare the floods as a national disaster. Please do not vacillate as the people of Kerala are suffering.” Almost all state governments have already announced relief packages for Kerala with the state of Telangana announcing Rs  25 crores as relief.

When the central government decides to term a calamity as a “National Disaster”, it can release funds under the National Disaster Response Fund, which is a 100 per cent grant from the central government to carry out relief and rehabilitation works.

According to the Disaster Management Act, a “disaster” means “a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human