The Government of Maldives on Monday extended help to India by donating USD 50,000 for the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit southern state of Kerala.

"At this time of national distress, the Government of Maldives conveys profound sympathies to the Government and the people of India, in particular to those directly affected by the tragedy, as well as commiserations to the members of the bereaved families," read the statement issued by the Government of Maldives.

A many as 357 people lost their lives in India's Kerala state so far. Kerala has been hit by the worst flooding in a century. The deluge has also caused a loss to the tune of Rs 19,512 crore to the southern state.

Earlier, Gulf countries such as UAE and Qatar encouraged its citizens to help the state of Kerala which has been seeing a large-scale devastation.

UAE president Khalifa bin Zayed Ali Nahyan had announced the formation of a national emergency committee called the Emirate Red Crescent (ERC) to help the state of Kerala. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the UAE ruler for his support over Twitter.

Qatar had also announced to donate $5 million. 

With inputs from agencies