The southern state of India, Kerala, is experiencing torrential rain and subsequent floods which is being regarded as the worst in 90 years. As per the official information, the rain and floods have caused 167 deaths so far and caused unprecedented loss to property. More than 1.5 lakh people are in over 1,000 relief camps while nearly 75,000 houses have been submerged in water.
Landslides are creating havoc in the hilly areas of the state and many places have been isolated with water. Kochi airport has shut operation till August 26 while road and train access is also limited due to waterlogging. Amid such horrifying situation, Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF personnel and state's forces with the help of local people and volunteers are currently in a marathon rescue operation.
Till Friday afternoon, Aug 17, 13 out of 14 districts in Kerala were under red alert and social media channels are filled with videos seeking for help. While the users are doing a commendable job by informing authorities about the people stranded, they are also hinting at a lukewarm response by the national media over the natural calamity in the state.
Oscar award-winning movie sound designer Resul Pookutty was one of the eminent personalities who took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the national media. With the pictures of a submerged Kochi airport, Pookuty commended, "My dear National Media, this is Kochi Airport as of now! Do you all have any idea the extent of Kerala Floods? Still it's not a National Calamity! My Keralites we have to deal with this on our own! Jai Hind!"
My dear #NationalMedia this is #KochiAirport as of now! Do you all have any idea the extend of #KeralaFloods still it’s not a #NationalCalamity! My #Keralites we have to deal with this on our own! Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/i59XAbufsr
— resul pookutty (@resulp) August 16, 2018
Film actor Mammoty and his son and actor Dulquer Salmaan requested the national media to focus and draw attention to Kerala floods over the social media channels.
Urging and requesting the #nationalmedia to focus and draw attention to #keralafloods !! Each day is looking more grim for millions ?? pic.twitter.com/hu1w2YCV1X
— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) August 17, 2018
Journalist Nikhila Henry said, "Red alert in all 14 districts; thousands crying out for their lives, 35 dams opened, the fourth busiest airport in the country remains closed; still this has not been declared as a national calamity; isn't it because Kerala is not part of India?", reports Firstpost.
Following are some of the social media posts that urge national media to wake up and give more attention to Kerala floods.
Pity on @Nationalmedia.. we all are indians.. it's not a regional issue it's a national disaster..@Nationalmedia plz be mature enough to understand the severity nd kindly act accordingly?#KeralaFlood #KeralaSOS #NationalMedia pic.twitter.com/BB0BPzay8x
— Nayana (@NayanaptNannu) August 16, 2018
#GodsOwnCountry is facing the toughest times..and still the #NationalMedia doesn't consider #KeralaFloods as a #NationalCalamity and no news..Shame on #NationalMedia
— SAM MATHEW (@i_sam_mathew) August 17, 2018
I don't think we have anything called as #NationalMedia, only some English channels for Hindi speaking people.??
— Harsha (@harshstweets) August 16, 2018
32ppl died in 1 day.Entire state is flooded&red alert across state.Rescue&disaster relief operations at its peak Still,#NationalMedia doesnt giv a damn!!More intrstd in 2019 election debate!?Team pls supprt&pray 4 d ppl of kerala - @EastIndiaComedy #KeralaFloods @kunalkamra88 pic.twitter.com/tVWkjhlRDO
— Anoop TK (@anoop_tk) August 15, 2018
water might gush through our living
— MR MRIDUL (@way2mr) August 17, 2018
wind might blow away our bread
Thankyou #nationalmedia for not covering us when we were drowning
Remember,all are vulnerable to the mother nature.
We wont forget the ones helped and the ones gone.
At the end of a storm there is a golden sky...
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