Heavy Rain Causes Flash Floods In Kerala; 26 People Dead, Many Others Injured Or Missing

Several parts of Kerala are reeling under flash floods this monsoon. The third-day continuous rain in the state has aggravated the flood situation with more than 26 deaths reported from the state so far. Many other people are injured or missing as rescue operations are underway by National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and military team. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the flood situation as ‘very grim’.

Excess water in dams

According to the Economic Times, the water level in various dams of the state is going way over the danger mark, after which shutters of at least 24 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water.

After shutters of Edamalayar and Cheruthoni dams were opened to release excess water from the reservoir, houses and commercial buildings around the Periyar river bank got flooded. Around 2000 residents were moved to relief camps. Bridges and roads were drowned by the floods and pumping stations for drinking water were shut down.

Landslide in many parts

Due to the heavy rains, landslides have occurred in many parts of Wayanad and Malappuram. The road to Kakkayam dam site in Kozhikode was cut off after the connecting road was washed away in the floods, reports the Hindu.

#WATCH: Road gets washed out in Malappuram after flash flood hit the region. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/2CqWjkn0no

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

The mountainous region of Idukki district in Kerala was put on high alert for landslides. Five people of a family were killed in a landslide in Idukki. Three other people are missing. Heavy crop and property damage have been reported in the district as storm waters inundated the area. Following which the District Collector has imposed a ban on heavy goods vehicles in Idukki till situation get better in the state.

All educational institutions including professional colleges in Kothamangalam, Kunnathunad, Aluva and Paravur taluks of Ernakulam district have declared a holiday for today.

Temporary ban on tourism

Due to the incessant rains for two weeks, Idukki District collector has also banned tourism in and around the district. More than 30 tourists, including some foreign nationals, are also reported to be stranded at Pallivasal district. Earlier, the United States had issued an advisory, asking its citizens not to visit Kerala because of the flash floods. “Avoid all areas throughout Kerala affected by landslides and flash floods,” said the advisory, as reported by The Hindu.

Official response

Kerala Chief Minister on Thursday called for a high-level meeting to discuss the flood situation in the state. As per the reports, CM said that he has also spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka CM H. D. Kumaraswamy and has brief them about the “grim” flood situation in the state.

Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the state. Offered all possible assistance to those affected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in the wake of this calamity. @CMOKerala

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2018

On the other hand, the Karnataka government has also issued relief funds for the state. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has directed Chief Secretary TM Vijayabhaskar to send relief material worth Rs.10 crore and a team of doctors to Kerala. “We stand with our neighbours at this hour of need,” read a statement by the Karnataka CM’s office.

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu government has also announced its support to flood-hit Kerala saying, “As a token of the support and solidarity of the government and people of Tamil Nadu with the government and people of Kerala in their hour of need. I have ordered the immediate contribution of a sum of ₹5 crore from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the Government of Kerala,” said Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Union minister KJ Alphons on Thursday meeting said that “it is the biggest rain we had in last 50 years.”

The rescue operation is underway

Four teams of NDRF comprising 45 personnel each, have left Chennai to go to Kerala and assist with the rescue and relief operations. The army and air force will together undertake the rescue operations in Idukki and Wayanad, as reported by Times of India.

A team sent by the Central government is also visiting flood-affected areas in Kerala. According to the government reports, more than 10, 000 has been moved to the 157 relief camps across the state. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations and flood relief is in progress by Navy Seeking 42C Op Madad in Wayanad and Ernakulam post heavy rains and flash floods.

#Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has directed Chief Secretary TM Vijayabhaskar to send relief materials worth Rs.10 crore & team of doctors to Kerala. #Keralaflood pic.twitter.com/BZkEzHXUDZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

According to the today’s morning reports of the Indian Meteorological Department, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are likely to affect Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts.

@IndiaCoastGuard Aircraft monitors #flood situations in #Ernakulam #Kerala & dispatches Coast Guard Rescue & Relief Teams to #Aluva #Ernakulam & #Beypore for assisting District Disaster Management Teams in Rescue effort to save people from flooded homes& streets @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/ni66pDWHWW

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) August 9, 2018

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Floods: 149 Deaths In Last Seven Days, Over 120 Injured