A number of Indian socio-cultural organizations in the country have cancelled their plans to celebrate Eid Al Adha and Onam festivals in the wake of natural calamities lambasting Southern India and have decided to support the flood-hit residents of Kerala instead.

The latest death toll from torrential rains and landslides is close to 30 as of Monday (August 13), with the authorities opening the shutters of 24 water reservoirs in an unprecedented move to prevent potentially disastrous breaches in the Indian state of Kerala.

This urged the office-bearer of PCF (People's Cultural Forum) Qatar to cancel the celebration of the above-mentioned festivals and will donate the funds meant for the observance to Kerala chief minister's relief fund.

Meanwhile, Indian expatriate organizations and community leaders have called out for helping flood victims in Kerala. In a forum statement, Sanskriti, a socio-cultural organization of Kerala community in Qatar, urged Indian expatriates to support relief and restoration activities being carried out by the government agencies in the flood-hit areas of the state.

General Secretary of the forum P Vijayakumar said, "We are committed to supporting scores of people who have either lost their belongings in the floods or, are living in rehabilitation camps."

The forum is urging community members to contribute to the chief minister's relief fund, which has been formed to support flood victims. According to a statement released by the government of Kerala, the current floods have caused damages worth QR3.6 billion.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Indian community leader and former President of Indian Cultural CentreK Girish Kumar said, "At this moment, the state requires cooperation and support from everyone and NRIs and NRKs must rise to the occasion and extend their help to the flood-hit population of the state."

The June-September rains in Kerala state have cost 175 lives and damaged crops worth 3.42bn rupees ($49.81mn) across 26,824 hectares since their onset on May 29. "Kerala has received 17% more rainfall so far during the current season compared with last year," a staff from India's Meteorological Department, said.

The state, which has 44 rivers, witnessed its worst floods in 1924 following torrential rains.

Do you think it's just right for Indians to forget Eid Al Adha this year to support their flood-hit brothers and sisters in Kerala? Let us know what you think by dropping us a line in the comments below! Also, don't forget to like and share this article—it keeps us going!

(Source)

(Cover image courtesy of PCF Qatar's Facebook)

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Sonkie

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