Heavy rains lash Kerala; landslides and floods kill 18

At least 18 people were killed as heavy rains and landslides hit parts of Kerala early on Thursday, said officials.

According to the disaster control room sources, 10 people were killed in landslides in Idukki, five in Malappuram, two in Kannur and one in Wayanad district. Three persons are missing—one each in Wayanad, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts.

Five members of a family lost their lives in Idukki's Adimali town. Two persons were pulled out alive from the debris by the local people and police.

Around 600 cusecs of water were discharged from Idamalayar dam on Thursday, with the water level rising to 169.95 m against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 169 m. The water level at Idukki dam was 2,398 at 8 am, 50 feet against the FRL of 2,403 feet. The administration has been put on high alert. The Idukki dam is an arch dam constructed across the Periyar River. It is one of the highest arch dams to be constructed in Asia, at a height of 555 ft. The Idukki dam’s shutter was last opened in 1992.

State Power Minister MM Mani, who hails from Idukki, said, “Things are pretty bad and I have visited the affected areas and on Thursday morning, the shutters of the Idamalyar dam was opened. We will open one shutter of Idukki dam too.”

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting to assess the situation. Due to heavy rains and resultant floods in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been moved to Kozhikode. Two teams have been sought from the Centre for north Kerala. Educational institutions have declared a holiday in Idukki, Kollam and some other districts due to the rains.