Kerala Floods: Over 25 dead due to heavy rains; PM dials Kerala CM, assure all possible help

Thiruvananthapuram, October 18: The nonstop heavy rain has triggered flash floods and landslides in the hilly areas of the Kottayam and Idukki districts of Kerala state. At least 25 people have died and many have been injured and displaced in this natural disaster.

 

 

Of the total dead bodies, fourteen deaths were recovered from Kottayam’s Koottickal while eleven were recovered from Idukki with over a dozen still missing in the state. A child has drowned in the Kozhikode district. A total of 105 relief camps have been set up across Kerala and the army, navy, and air force have been roped in for rescue operations.

 

In a more worrying situation, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Kerala is likely to receive rainfall for the next 3-4 days. IMD has also sounded a yellow alert for 11 Kerala districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode.

 

 

 

State Revenue Minister K. Rajan had earlier said rescue workers had recovered bodies from the debris and slush of the landslides that had hit various places of Idukki and Kottayam districts on Saturday.

 

 

 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the public to be extra cautious as the rain continues. In a statement issued by Vijayan, he asked people to take precautions to avoid accidents and to follow instructions of authorities, and shift to safer places if necessary. He also asked the public to avoid unnecessary trips.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala chief minister Pinrayi Vijayan and discussed the rain and landslide situation in the state. He also expressed grief over the loss of lives in Kerala due to heavy rains and landslides.

 

“Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being,” PM Modi tweeted.

 

 

 

Moreover, Union home minister Amit Shah has also assured of all possible central help and said the Centre is 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 govt 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 Shah.

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