Reeling under the unprecedented havoc caused by heavy rains, the Kerala government today decided to do away with the 'Onam' celebrations...

Reeling under the unprecedented havoc caused by heavy rains, the Kerala government today decided to do away with the 'Onam' celebrations this year and instead utilise the amount for relief operations. Thirty-nine persons have so far lost their lives in landslides and floods caused due to the heavy rains, which has destroyed 20,000 houses and damaged 10,000 km of roads in the state since August 8. The government has resolved not to organise programmes held every year as part of the Onam festivities, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, told reporters here.

Help rebuild the lives of the flood affected people in Kerala. Now you can make donations online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site,  https://t.co/OFHTHlHxMY

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 14, 2018

The amount set apart for the celebrations would be used for relief work in the state, he added. The government organises events across district headquarters and in the state capital during the week-long 'Onam' celebrations. 'Onam' (harvest festival) falls on August 25 this year. City streets are illuminated, handicrafts fairs, folk arts and various programmes are organised during the celebrations which conclude with a grand procession of floats in the state capital. Earlier, the state government had also postponed the annual Nehru trophy boat race.