Srinagar, Aug 19: N.N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, has conveyed to Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, the sorrow and sincere sympathy of the people and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir over the tragic loss of hundreds of innocent lives and the enormous damage to public and private properties on account of the worst flood crisis which Kerala has faced in the past several decades.
The Governor has also conveyed to Chief Minister Kerala the decision of the J&K Government to provide assistance of Rs 2 crore for supporting the flood relief efforts under way in Kerala.
The Governor and members of his state administrative council have condoled the tragic death of several hundred persons who lost their lives in the flood fury and conveyed their sympathy for the lakhs of families who have been rendered homeless in Kerala.
Vohra has also announced that suitable arrangements are being urgently put in place for the public of Jammu and Kashmir to contribute to the Kerala Flood Relief Fund. Information regarding the address at which individual contributions can be sent will be announced on Monday.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to take attention of the state towards the catastrophe that has unfolded in Kerala.
“I will be donating my salary for this month to the relief efforts in #Kerala,” Omar wrote on the twitter. “I also appeal to my colleagues in @JKNC_ & others in J&K to remember what we went through in 2014 & do their own bit, however small, to help. From “Heaven on earth” to “God’s own country”.”
In his second tweet, he addressed the Governor to chip in.
“Jenab Vohra Sahib, a number of states & organisations came to the assistance of J&K in 2014 & that help was invaluable,” Omar reminded Vohra.
“Can I request you to officially announce some assistance from J&K for #Kerala at their time of need. @jandkgovernor.”
The other politician who took a stand on the Kerala floods was former J&K Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu.
“This Eid ul Zuha the obligatory zakat, Qurbani and associated celebratory expenditures will be contributed to #KeralaFloodRelief. Also my this month’s earnings,” Drabu wrote on Twitter.
“Appeal to all fellow Kashmiris: Last Eid ul Zuha Rs 455 crores were withdrawn from J&K Bank ATMs in the valley. This Eid withdraw only half. Send the other half to #KeralaReliefFund. We have gone through this in 2014. We should understand the need and appreciate the help we got.”
IAS topper Shah Faesal who is currently studying abroad put on his wall: “People of Kerala have done a lot for us during September 2014 floods. It is now our turn to help our brothers and sisters in distress.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced Rs 500 crore relief to the state. He had flown over the inundated part of the state. This is in addition to Rs 100 crore relief announced by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Human losses are apart, the losses are pegged at Rs 18,000 crore.
