Two dead, 10 missing as heavy rain lashes Kerala
KOCHI: Heavy rains lashed Kerala on Saturday triggering landslides and flood in some places which claimed two lives, apart from causing widespread damage.
According to reports, 10 people were missing following landslip in Kootikkal in Kotayam district. The downpour was caused by the low pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea.
The Chief Minister’s Office sought help from the Air Force and Army to aid and assist rescue operations. A defence spokesperson said the Indian Air Force and Indian Army stationed in Kerala have deployed their personnel in affected areas.
“Six teams of NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) have been deployed in six districts – Pathanamthita, Idukki, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kotayam and Idukki. Two teams of the Army have been deployed in Trivandrum and Kotayam districts. The Air Force has been requested to be on standby in case of any emergencies,” the release from the chief minister’s office said.
The chief minister also said a red alert has been sounded for the dams under KSEB, including Kakki dam in Pathanamthita, Sholayar in Thrissur, Kundala and Kallarkuti in Idukki.
A red alert has also been issued for Chulliyar dam in Palakkad and Peechi dam in Thrissur, which are under the irrigation department.
Minister for Cooperation and Registration VN Vasavan told mediapersons that at least three houses have been washed away in Kotayam district and 10 people were feared missing.
“At least four landslips have been reported from various parts of Kotayam district. We have sought the assistance of the Air Force to rescue people who are stranded in Kootikkal area. We have received information about some people missing and over 60 waiting to be rescued as water entered their homes,” the minister said.
Kerala Police chief Anil Kant has instructed district police heads to open special control rooms. The Police control rooms will work in coordination with district collectors and district disaster management authorities.
Over 30 families have been shited to relief camps as the water level rose in the Vellayani Lake in Trivandrum district. Shuters of Malampuzha dam and Malankara dam were raised following the rise in water levels.
Three shuters of the Thenmala Parappar dam were raised by 50 centimetres each. Water levels have risen in Kakki, Aanathodu dam reservoirs and Pamba, Triveni rivers.