Australia's Ambassador to the United States, Joe Hockey, has deleted his controversial tweet on Kerala floods after he was severely criticised on Twitter.
The former Australian treasurer was called out for his comments on widespread flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
As torrential rains, overflowing rivers and a series of landslides kill at least 75 people and continue to threaten the state of Kerala, the former Australian Treasurer on Wednesday tweeted, “Please send to Australia... rain welcome party will be arranged.”
He took this tweet down after facing a severe backlash online.
Source: Twitter
Hockey deleted the tweet and wrote, “If you saw my tweet as insensitive I obviously apologize and have removed it.”
Some lauded him for apologising while some were not very forgiving.
Over 100 killed in Kerala floods as torrential rains wreak havoc in the state
A flooded street in Kochi, Kerala state, India, 10 August 2018. Source: AAP
Kerala, famed for its pristine palm-lined beaches and tea plantations and dubbed ‘God’s own country’ has been battered by very heavy rain this season, flooding hundreds of villages and prompting the authorities to suspend flights in and out of the region.
Efforts to rescue thousands stranded in their homes continue with defence forces deployed in rescue operations. The public transport system has collapsed in many parts and the airport at Kochi stopped operations for three days.
"Twenty-five deaths were confirmed earlier in the evening. The situation is bad in many parts of the state and the number (of deaths) will likely increase," a senior official from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority told AFP.
Athirampally Falls seen at Athirampally Panchayat, Chalakudy Taluk, Thrissur District of Kerala, India, 13 August 2018. Source: AAP
The official added that authorities had issued a "red alert" warning in all 14 districts of the flood-ravaged state, with heavy downpours expected over the next 24 hours in many of the worst affected areas.
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