Kerala Floods
  • Home/
  • Kerala Officer, Chopper Crash Victim, Participated In Flood Relief Ops

Kerala Officer, Chopper Crash Victim, Participated In Flood Relief Ops

Kerala Officer, Chopper Crash Victim, Participated In Flood Relief Ops
36-year-old Pradeep Arakkal is from the Thrissur district in Kerala.
Thrissur, Kerala: 

As the nation mourns those killed in the horrific chopper crash yesterday, a heart-wrenching story has come in from Kerala. Junior Warrant Officer Pradeep Arakkal, among the 13 people who died in the chopper crash that also killed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, was with his parents just three weeks ago. His father, who was hospitalised then, still doesn't know of his death.

36-year-old Mr Arakkal is from the Thrissur district in Kerala and had returned to work just last week after his father was discharged from the hospital. 

His father is still on oxygen support at home and has not been informed of the son's death, according to their neighbour Shiva Prasad. His mother is aware of the tragedy. Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan visited his house today and is leading the preparations to receive the officer's body.

Mr Arakkal'swife hasn't returned to Thrissur yet, she was living with him. He is survived by two children - the younger one is 3 years old and the elder child is 7 years old.

The officer had actively participated during the flood rescue operations in Kerala. His neighbours remember him with fondness, saying that he even used to buy medicines and other supplies for those in need in his hometown with his own money.

Mr Arakkal's brother has left for Delhi to receive the body. Details of the last rites are not yet clear, given the father's condition.

Share this story on

#IndiaForKerala Telethon

Money Raised So Far

Contribute FOR KERALA FLOODS RELIEF

Why Kerala Needs Your Support

Kerala has been hit by the worst floods in a 100 years. The Kerala Government estimates Rs 21,000 crore will be needed to rebuild the state. The funds are required to rebuild hundreds of flooded villages, thousands of damaged and destroyed homes and 10,000 kilometres of ravaged roads.
 
This Onam as Kerala struggles to rebuild after the most devastating floods in a century, NDTV has organised a special telethon to raise funds for Kerala. We have specific goals - to enable the rebuilding of villages in the worst-affected districts and provide immediate assistance in terms of rehabilitation and food kits to people in the worst affected areas . All donations will go directly to our partner NGO Plan India.
 
Our focus will be coverage that makes a difference, stories with a heart, standing by people and making their experience a shared one to effect change.   
 
NDTV chose to report on this massive crisis with unwavering focus and commitment; having done that, now we look, as NDTV always does, to go beyond the news and make a difference to people's lives.

Photos

Show More

Videos

Show More

Upload Photos/Videos

The Kerala floods has caused massive devastation to life and property. About 357 people have died and lakhs have been relocated to relief camps. Send photos and videos of the rescue efforts, using the form below.

Opinion

  • Opinion: A Malayalam Sleeper Hit Spotlights Unsung Heroes Of 2018 Floods

    Opinion: A Malayalam Sleeper Hit Spotlights Unsung Heroes Of 2018 FloodsAnand Mathew

    Thursday May 25, 2023

    Through the microcosm of a small town in Kerala, '2018' tells the story of ordinary citizens coming together to save those in need, as they confront an unimaginable catastrophe.

  • Blogs: बाढ़ की वजह इंसानों की बनाई नीतियां?

    Blogs: बाढ़ की वजह इंसानों की बनाई नीतियां?Ravish Kumar

    Saturday August 10, 2019

    ज़मीन पर बाढ़ के कारण इंसानों की बनाई नीतियां हैं जिसे मैन मेड क्राइसिस कहते हैं. प्राकृतिक संसाधनों का बेख़ौफ़ इस्तमाल जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारणों को बढ़ाता है. इस बाढ़ को दो तरह से समझिए. दो महीने की बारिश अगर दो हफ्ते में हो जाए तो क्या होगा. क्यों ऐसा हो रहा है. आप मानें या न मानें जो लोग ऊंचे बांधों, कार्बन उत्सर्जन, और नदियों के किनारे निर्माण कार्यों को लेकर चेतावनी देते रहे हैं, जिन्हें हम एक्सपर्ट कहते हैं, बुलाते हैं और सुनकर भुला देते हैं, उनका मज़ाक उड़ाते हैं, लेकिन उनकी एक एक बात सही साबित होती जा रही है.