(Image source from: The Hindu)

The deluge-hit Kerala started picking up the pieces on Monday as the rain subsided and water began receding from flood-affected regions even as the Central government said the situation in the State had been categorized as an L3 level disaster under the National Disaster Management Guidelines.

According to National Disaster Management Plan, L3 level of disaster corresponds to a nearly catastrophic situation or a very large scale disaster that overwhelms the state and district authorities.

To discuss the flood havoc, the State government has convened an all-party meeting on Tuesday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the rescue operations would proceed till the last of the stranded victims were brought to safety.

On Monday, as many as six deaths were reported in the State, taking the toll from August 8 to 223. A total of 10,28,073 people, including 1,01,049 children, were moved in 3,274 relief camps.

Road, rail, and air traffic were partially restored.

By Sowmya Sangam