[caption id="attachment_202238" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
NGO activists collect fund for the flood victims of Kerala in Mumbai on Monday.[/caption]
Noida (UP), Aug. 20 (PTI): Individuals, citizens' groups and government officials, including police personnel, in Gautam Buddh Nagar are extending a helping hand as Kerala reels under the fury of floods and rains.
Incessant monsoon showers, the fiercest in last 100 years, have claimed 210 lives since August 8 and displaced over seven lakh people in Kerala.
Active Citizens Team, a group of social workers with volunteers and members across the district said they are working in tandem with the Trade Union of Guatam Buddh Nagar to collect raw food material.
"We are collecting rice, lentils, powdered wheat and biscuits. So far we have gathered around 10 'katte' (each weighing 25 kgs) of rice. Our target is to gather 25 'katte' by August 26," Harinder Bhati, a member of the Active Citizen Team, said.
The group, which was formed in 2012 and has over 250 members in Noida, Greater Noida, Jewar and Dadri areas, is also collecting monetary donations.
Bhati said they have collected nearly Rs 60,000 and are aiming at Rs 2,00,000.
Some citizens are opting for mobile payment options to lend support to the people in Kerala.
"I made a monetary contribution because I felt I needed to do whatever I could to help," Neti Bedi, who works in a multinational corporation in sector 135 here said.
Initially I was not thrilled with the amount I donated but thought whatever it is, I have to do my bit, the 26-year-old told PTI.
Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh said he has donated his one month's salary Rs 1,25,000 for the cause. "In this hour of need, it should be everyone's effort to help the people caught in the catastrophe in Kerala," Singh said in a statement.
Many police personnel, including constables and officers, are donating a day's salary to help Keralites.
"Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma has exhorted the personnel for the voluntary contribution. Several policeman are donating their one-day salary," Rajesh Sharma, police spokesperson, said.
The district administration, as per guidelines from the Uttar Pradesh government, is preparing for providing essential supplies required in flood-ravaged Kerala. According to an official communication, the district administration is preparing food packets of 1-1.5 kg each which include biscuits, dry fruits, rusk, chocolate energy bars, tetra pack of juices, ORS, small bottles of packaged water and ready-to-eat food essentials, mostly rice-based.
The emphasis is on ensuring that the expiry date of the food products is at least four-six months later. They are also procuring clothes, including t-shirts, lungis, sarees, children's clothes and light blankets, according to the communication.
"Monetary help can be collected in cash, cheque or demand drafts and will be sent through the chief minister's relief fund," it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced Rs 500 crore financial assistance to Kerala after personally reviewing the flood situation on Friday.
During the June to September monsoon season, till 18 August, the state has received 42 per cent excess rainfall, leading to the worst floods in a century that have claimed hundreds of lives and impacted lakhs.
