Kerala floods: PM Khan offers humanitarian assistance to India

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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday offered humanitarian assistance to India after floods wreak havoc in its Kerala state.

The death toll in India’s southern state of Kerala rose to nearly 400 after its worst flood in a century, as authorities handed out medicine and disinfectants to ward off disease in thousands of relief camps.

“On behalf of the people of Pakistan, we send our prayers and best wishes to those who have been devastated by the floods in Kerala, India. We stand ready to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be needed,” Khan said in a tweet.

Earlier, Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) Peshawar Zalmi franchise owner Javed Afridi also offered to donate 5,000 tents and basic medical supplies to the millions who had suffered due to the natural calamity.

“There is a fresh new air in Pakistan but we are hearing some sad news from #Kerala, India. Millions have been displaced by floods and from @PeshawarZalmi and @FoundationZalmi we will like to donate 5000 tents and basic medical supplies for #KeralaFloods,” tweeted Afridi on Tuesday.

The Peshawar Zalmi media department issued a release, which quoted Afridi as saying: “On the basis of humanity, we want to extend our full support to the people of Kerala. We are deeply saddened by the havoc caused by the floods in Kerala and aim to provide support in any way we can through the Zalmi Foundation. Our prayers are with them [flood victims in Kerala], and we are standing with them in this time of need.”

Kerala received rainfall more than 40 per cent greater than normal for the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. Torrential rain in the last 10 days forced officials to release water from dozens of dangerously full dams.

The state, ruled by the communist party, has received just a third of the immediate assistance of 20 billion rupees ($285 million) it sought from the federal government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.