Heavy rain forecast in Kerala
Landslide toll 43
KOCHI / IDUKKI: Rains continued to pound parts of Kerala on Sunday amid predictions of extremely heavy rainfall in 6 districts, raising concerns of aggravated flood situation in lowlying areas, even as the death toll in the recent massive landslide in Idukki district rose to 43 with 17 more bodies being retrieved from the debris.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Alappuzha districts. Sounding a red alert, the IMD said these districts are likely to receive over 20 cms rain in the next 24 hours.
IMD officials said almost all districts north of Alappuzha are likely to receive over 20 cms rains. There is likely to be a reduction in rainfall from Tuesday.
Three days after the settlements of estate workers were swept away by devastating landslides at Pettimudi near Rajamala, various agencies engaged in the rescue operations on Sunday recovered 17 bodies.
Despite adverse weather conditions in Pettimudi, rescue operations by NDRF, fire and police department personnel are continuing to recover bodies of more people feared trapped in the landslide, officials said.
While 12 people were rescued, 43 bodies were found.
Meanwhile, incessant rains, landslides and opening of shutters of dams across rivers have led to rise in water levels in rivers and streams in central Kerala, aggravating the flood situation.
Six shutters of Pamba dam in Pathanamthitta district were opened this afternoon after its water level rose to 983.45 metre mark, raising concerns about floods in Ranni, Chengannur and Kuttanad regions.
The shutters were opened to bring down the water level in the dam to 982 metre in 9 hours, Pathanamthitta district officials said. There will be a 40 cm rise in water level in river Pamba, they said.
Anticipating breach of the river in areas downstream of Pathanamthitta, the district administration has sought the assistance of fishermen to carry out the rescue. Fishermen from Neendakara and Alappad in neighbouring Kollam will reach vulnerable areas of Pathanamthitta, including Thiruvalla and Adoor with 15 boats.