Thiruvananthapuram: A month after the Cyclone Ockhi devastated coastal regions in Kerala, around 300 people still remain missing, which could make it the state's worst disaster ever.
According to the Latin Catholic church, 317 people are still missing. Revenue department has reported 208 missing while fisheries department has a list of 143 people. An official report of the number of people killed and missing would be prepared only after the completion of search missions.
While most relatives of those still missing have probably given up hope by now, a few groups still continue in their search to return the deceased to their loved ones.
The worst disaster so far has been the 2004 tsunami, where 171 people were killed as strong waves ravaged the coastal stretches of Kerala's southern districts.
Latin Catholic Church Archbishop M Soosa Pakiam on Friday announced a relief package of Rs 100 crore to mitigate the fisher folks' sufferings, which include long-term rehabilitation needs. The 5-year plan includes construction of homes, educational assistance, and for other programs meant for the overall relief for the fisher folk in the state.
The state government had submitted demand for immediate relief assistance of Rs 442 crore.
The first installment of Rs 133 crore was released on Wednesday and the rest will be released very soon.
Cyclone Ockhi struck the southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu on November 30.
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