Unprecedented rains in Kerala leave 45 people dead
NEWS DIGEST – The death toll in Kerala, a state in India has risen to 45, as torrential rainfall continues.
Operations at the Kochi airport have been suspended till 2 pm on Saturday as the inflow of water is still on a rising trend. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation. With heavy rain expected in the state for the next four days, all the rescue teams have been asked to stay alert, Vijayan added.
With no let up in the heavy rain, 33 dams of the 39 in Kerala have been opened till now. With almost all rivers in spate, reports of landslides have come in from Malappuram and Munnar in Idukki this morning.
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Over 1,000 people living on the banks of Periyar river have been shifted to relief camps as a precautionary measure after the Mullaperiyar dam’s shutters were opened and water released through spillway early this morning. The water level at Mullaperiyar dam touched 142 feet this afternoon, its permissible limit. This has raised concerns among the authorities as the water will now flow to Idukki dam, the next one constructed along the Periyar. Idukki reservoir is already brimming at 2,398 feet — its maximum capacity if 2,403 feet.
Fishermen across the state have been advised to stay away from the sea as conditions are likely to be rough. The rains could result in flooding of low-lying areas along the coast, especially during high tide.
Kozhithuruth worries about floods destroying their link with the mainland: Residents of Kozhithuruth, an island in Kerala, are worried after their homes were flooded due to heavy rains this year. Their bigger worry is that the floods may destroy their only link to the mainland, a 30-year-old stone bridge over a stream.
Unabated rains have forced the state government to do away with the official ‘Onam’ celebrations and the amount set apart for the purpose would be utilised for relief operations. Governor P Sathasivam also decided to cancel the reception to be hosted by him today as part of Independence Day celebrations due to the floods in the state.
“State Government would request the Union Govt. to declare the calamity as that of ‘rare severity’ and provide the required funds and assistance,” Vijayan said, adding that the impact of the monsoon havoc will be felt for a long time in the state.
