The Kerala floods dominated the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi assuring its victims that India stands with them in their hour of need.

“We express our condolences to the people who have lost their loved ones in the Kerala floods,” he said, adding that people from all walks of life have come forward to support them.

He also hailed the role of central forces who were involved in rescue operations in the natural disaster, which claimed 265 lives and wreaked destruction to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore. The Centre had released Rs 543 crore in financial aid to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme on Friday.