Flood-hit Kerala seeks to borrow more than Rs 100 bn to fund reconstruction

Authorities are handing out medicines and disinfectants to ward off diseases as a huge clean-up gathers pace

India's flood-ravaged Kerala state will seek to borrow more than Rs 100 billion ($1.4 billion) to finance reconstruction work after a disaster that has claimed nearly 400 lives, its chief minister said on Tuesday.

The proposed loan is part of a special package that the southern state, which estimates it has suffered damage of at least Rs 200 billion, will seek from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for rebuilding efforts, minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. 
 

Kerala will ask Modi's government to raise the state's borrowing ceiling to 4.5 per cent of its GDP from 3 per cent, which will