[naveen.raju]

Like Ganesh had mentioned, basic necessities and inner wears are needed the most. Also they encourage non cooked foods like biscuits, water and medicines in these camps.

Many have started cleaning the houses so the following items are also in great need. Some of friends having trucks/lorries have also been dispatched for rescue items. So guys who own them can provide the same for relief operations.

My cousins flat in Aluva which was submerged is now clear. Will be going there after lunch for cleaning. I really don't have the heart to see the state of the cars there :-(

[earthian]

Just donated via the Kerala official government portal to the Chief Minister's Relief fund. I do hope that the funds are put to good and correct use. Somehow, contributing for such deserving causes to the Government does leave a nagging doubt in one's mind.

The magnitude of the destruction and the hardship faced by the citizens is mind boggling. I remember my parents marooned in Chennai for 8 days without electricity or access to food, water and medicines during 2015. The youth did a marvellous job at that time.

[Night_Fury]

I need to know if buses are running between Palakkad and Ernakulam. Also, there are no trains between Palakkad and Ernakulam as of now(19/08/18: 15:30). Any information of when these links will be restored ?

[NPV]

Was this a man-made disaster ? Do we really care about our environment and ecology ?

Link

This morning I remembered one of our neighbors who had recently retired and relocated to Palakkad.
Concerned about their well-being, called them this morning and was glad they're safe though it was a narrow escape - some of their nearby localities were affected by the deluge. They also mentioned (from their experience over the years) that everything will be forgotten in a few months and it'll be business as usual. The real problems will never be addressed.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by NPV

Was this a man-made disaster ?

Almost every disaster ultimately is man-made!

Not the time even to be asking the question though. There is atleast a week more to go till some normalcy is returned in Kerala.

And let's not forget Kodagu too. Somehow the media still seems to be ignoring it - same as Kerala was ignored initially.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Images that bring hope about humanity - Credits to respective owners.

[naveen.raju]

A bit of cleaning done at cousins flat in Aluva. Wouldn't believe how slippery (extremely slippery I should say) this slush was and standing upfront itself was a tough task. Few cars and bikes were left behind during the flood.



This was taken when the water started to rise (water was till the bonnet of the car).



And this was taken few hours back (when the water level receded). The gazebo lost some part of it's roof.



Should take couple of days to clear up the mess. Volunteers from the relief camp also chipped in .

There are still lot of debris on the road along the affected areas (Aluva, Companypady) and the houses beside the companypady metro station is still submerged. The road is also in a bad state here. Could also see many submerged cars parked beside the road.

[darklord]

Made a couple of runs to the collection center in Technopark, TVM. Lots of trucks and even private cars carrying relief materials seen on road en route. Even a big supermarket that we visited for supplies had run out of rusks and normal biscuits because a lot of people are buying relief materials. The staff noticed we were buying stuff for relief and packed them neatly in cartons. I think the people are really making an effort to pitch in.

[BackInTheFold]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

And let's not forget Kodagu too. Somehow the media still seems to be ignoring it - same as Kerala was ignored initially.

My family and I went to the Metro at Yeshwantpur in Bangalore to shop for relief supplies. It was heartwarming to see folks lugging trollies and hearing from store staff about how the racks have been emptied by people shopping for supplies. The counter clerk asked if we were shopping for Kerala and was surprised when we said Kerala and Coorg.

We went to the Kodava Samaj, the Coorg Association at Vasanth Nagar, to drop off some supplies. While it was well organized and buzzing, It was heart-rending to see that nearly everyone who had donated until then was from Coorg. Without belittling the attention that Kerala has been deservedly getting, the Karnataka government and media are doing an enormous disservice to Coorg, which has faced it's own share of havoc. Hope people can help Coorg get back on its feet too.

Here's how to donate for Coorg:
Kindly send your donation to the following A/c Name: Kodava Samaja Flood Relief Fund Blr, A/c No: 1370101084312, IFSC Code CNRB0001370 Canara Bank, Vasantanagar Bangalore.


Disclaimer: we are from neither Coorg nor Kerala

[swiftnfurious]

From what I have been reading, there are a lot of food supplies now in different camps, especially Kadavantra Sports stadium and they have been asking people to distribute to who need it. The latest ask is for dress for all, utensils and probably house cleaning stuff, now since water is receding.

Contributed one time thru a friend who shipped items to Wayanad by 15 Aug, have a call for help from my company and also the small group of Keralites in the org.

If Coorg has such devastation, would divert some funds to them as well.

PS: Read in one of the newspaper that Kerala is one of the states to utilise the CMDRF to the tune of 800 crore or so roughly (in a year or span of 5 years??) and is one of the better spends among the states - So looks like it's worth contributing.

PPS:: Thanks for sharing those lovely pics, CD. Read a news that one guy signalled the chopper for rescue and when they got closer, clicked a selfie and asked them to move on. Such low lives!!! Also some funny news items how a girl had the ambition of flying in a helicopter and the floods were a blessing in disguise and another guy from North Kerala or so, sent to get an insulin injection for Grandpa 'took a lift in helicopter' and was dropped in TVM relief camp for the next 10 days etc!!

Am very keenky waiting for news from Chengannur where the condition is supposedly very bad.

[MaxTorque]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

PS: Read in one of the newspaper that Kerala is one of the states to utilize Am very keenly waiting for news from Chengannur where the condition is supposedly very bad.

Even I am, somehow Chengannur is the last place limping to normalcy.

By the way, I heard those voice clips too. But I think as water has started receding, people are just making voice clips out of imagination. We better know how good these guys are for creating memes.

[maddyoni10]

Originally Posted by earthian

Just donated via the Kerala official government portal to the Chief Minister's Relief fund. I do hope that the funds are put to good and correct use. Somehow, contributing for such deserving causes to the Government does leave a nagging doubt in one's mind.

The magnitude of the destruction and the hardship faced by the citizens is mind boggling. I remember my parents marooned in Chennai for 8 days without electricity or access to food, water and medicines during 2015. The youth did a marvellous job at that time.

Just found a useful info in this regard. The CM Relief Fund for a disaster gives 100% IT Exemption to donations made to it as opposed to 50% for other funds under 80G. There is no limit to the donation amount in comparison to the normal 80G clause where max contribution is about 10% of CTC. I am saying this from previous experience and am not a CA. So please correct me if I am wrong. Not that I am looking for an incentive to donate but if it does help, it is good. I know my taxes arent being put to great use. I would like to
believe donations to the CM Relief Fund actually reach people. It is a crazy world but still there is love and compassion around. Peace.
- Madhav

[basilmabraham]

Thanks everyone for the immense support shown for the state of Kerala during its time of distress. A big salute to each one.

[pradkumar]

I just contributed a small sum to the CM's relief fund. The sum I contributed is paltry compared to the education subsidies I got in the past from my home state.

Pradeep

[benbsb29]

We contributed to the CM's fund as well. While donations in kind would be more effective, sadly not being around locally means that we have to go with the next best option to support the affected people.

My parents although not directly affected by the floods, mentioned that they have been without power for a few days now.