Kerala floods declared 'calamity of severe nature'

The massive flood in Kerala has been declared a calamity of severe nature, the Home Ministry said today. "Keeping in view the intensity and magnitude of the floods and landslides in Kerala, this is a calamity of a severe nature for all practical purposes," a home ministry official said.

At least 300 people have lost their lives in the rains, floods and landslides in Kerala where over 7.24 lakh displaced people have been sheltered in 5,645 relief camps.