Kerala floods: 15 feared dead, dozens missing; relief efforts on

More than 11 people were feared dead in the heavy rains that have lashed the south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts. More than 2,100 people have been shifted to relief camps across the state as heavy rains battered the Kerala consecutively for four days.

There was a brief let-up in the rains triggered by the low-pressure area which has formed over the Arabian Sea.

As many as 105 relief camps have been opened in the state, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He urged the public to be extremely cautious with heavy rains forecast in Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts.

The Pathanamthitta district has been witnessing rainfall levels equivalent to 2018 levels. According to unofficial estimates, the district received 10 cm rainfall in the past 12 hours. All low-lying areas in the district’s Kumbazha region have submerged in water. Water levels were also rising on the Kumbazha-Malayalppuzha road and Ranni area.

A total of 33 relief camps were opened in Kottayam, 15 in Pathanamthitta and 12 in Alappuzha.

As many as 385 persons have been rehabilitated in ten camps in Thiruvananthapuram. In Pathanamthitta, 273 members of 75 families have been shifted to 15 camps. In Alappuzha, 163 persons have been shifted to 15 rehabilitation camps. In Kottayam, 1,196 persons shifted to 33 camps. In Idukki, 17 camps have been opened. Rains have reduced in Thrissur, however, the shutters of Peechi, Chimmini, Poomala, Asurankund, Pathazhakand and Vazhani dams have been opened.

Many areas in Pathanamthitta district’s Ranni, Aranmula, Kozhencherry and Mallapally continue to be inundated. The Meenachil and Manimala rivers have overflowed in Kottayam district inundating towns and leading to the closure of several roads.

The shutters of Neyyar and Aruvikkara dams in Thiruvananthapuram have been opened while a red alert has been issued for the Peppara dam, where water levels are rising. A red alert will be announced if the water level reaches at 2,3,97.86 square feet.

Rescue efforts continue to progress at the Poovanchi area in Idukki's Kokkayar Panchayat where a landslide swept away several houses on Saturday. Eight people were missing in the landslide that struck Poovanchi and Makkochi areas.

The India Meteorological Department has issued the yellow alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.

Units of the National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) have been deployed at Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. The Indian Air Force will assist the rescue activities at Kokkayar using two helicopters on Sunday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government was continuously monitoring the situation in Kerala. “We are continuously monitoring the situation in parts of Kerala in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding. The central government will provide all possible support to help people in need. NDRF teams have already been sent to assist the rescue operations. Praying for everyone's safety,” tweeted Amit Shah.