**Bhubaneswar:** The Kerala Government has expressed its gratitude to Odisha for all the support and assistance received during its most crucial fight to survive the century’s worst flood.
Kerala Chief Secretary Tom Jose in a letter to his Odisha counterpart Aditya Prasad Padhi stated, “I am writing this to place on record our great appreciation and gratitude for the timely contribution made by your State in assisting and sending relief materials to the flood affected people of Kerala.”
Jose has further claimed the support and assistance came at a most critical time and helped save the lives of thousands of people.
“Support from your side as supplies and manpower demonstrate a commitment to helping people affected by natural calamities, and instills confidence in Kerala that we are not alone in our trials and tribulations,” he added.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, expressing solidarity with all flood affected people of Kerala, had earlier sanctioned Rs 10 crore as financial assistance, which was sent to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Further on August 18, Odisha pressed in 245 trained Fire Service Personnel to assist rescue operations and relief work in the flood-hit Kerala. The team had been divided into two units, one deployed in Alleppey and the other in Kottayam district.
Equipped with 65 power boats, the team rescued around 5000 marooned people from water-logged areas and also distributed relief materials. They also carried medical personnel to inaccessible areas besides clearing off blocked roads.
In total 500 metric tonne of polythene sheets worth Rs 8 Cr had also been dispatched to Kerala on August 19, for assistance of people hit by the natural calamity.
On instruction of Patnaik, Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi was also in continuous touch with Kerala Revenue and Disaster Management ACS P H Kurian.
**Also Read:** [Odisha CM Launches ‘Kartika Habisyali Brata Yojana 2018′](https://www.ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/odisha-cm-launches-kartika-habisyali-brata-yojana-2018-)
