Landslips and floods triggered by incessant rain turned large parts of the northern districts into a devastated landscape on Thursday, forcing the administration to seek the help of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue operations, even as the death toll in the monsoon went up to 43.
Six killed at Kattippara
As many as six people, including three children, were killed in a massive landslip that buried five houses at Kattippara in Kozhikode district in the early hours of Thursday. Landslips occurred at four other places in Kozhikode and also in Malappuram, Kannur, and Wayanad districts, causing extensive damage to crops and property. Residents in many places had to be shifted to safer locations after roads, houses, and bridges were inundated.
An NDRF team comprising 48 personnel was despatched to Kerala from the battalion headquarters at Arakkonam. The team will assist the Thrissur-based NDRF unit in rescuing the landslip victims.
Ministers E. Chandrasekharan, A.K. Saseendran, T.P. Ramakrishnan, and V.S. Sunil Kumar coordinated the rescue and relief activities in the affected areas.
Wayanad district was virtually cut off from the rest of the State for hours following landslips on the Thamarassery, Thottilpalam, Palchuram, and Kuttiyadi ghat roads that brought traffic to a halt.
While the Opposition alleged that the delayed response by the administration had amplified the tragedy caused by the landslip in Kozhikode, the government asserted that it had done everything possibles.
Expressing anguish over the delay in launching rescue operations, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told Chief Secretary Paul Antony that several lives could have been saved if the government had acted fast.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued directions to the Chief Secretary and District Collectors to step up relief work in the affected areas. The government also sanctioned funds for relief activities in the seven districts. Hospitals were directed to be equipped for emergencies and medical teams arranged for relief camps.
Alert issued
The State Disaster Management Authority has issued a red alert (indicating severe hazard situation) for Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Palakkad districts till June 18 and directed the administration to be on standby for emergency operations in the hilly and flood-prone areas. An orange alert (moderate hazard) has been issued for Idukki, Kottayam, and Alappuzha districts.
District Collectors have been alerted to the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain, flash floods, and landslips for the next four days. The Central Water Commission has also issued a warning that the rivers in Kerala are likely to overflow. Sabarimala pilgrims have been cautioned against using two-wheelers, autorickshaws, and open vehicles for travel and to be alert to rise in water level in the Pampa river.
The Met Centre has warned of strong winds and rough seas off the coast. Fishermen have been advised against venturing out to sea.
Meanwhile, 19 people were reported killed in rain-related incidents on Thursday. As many as 12,398 people belonging to 28,64 families have been shifted to 133 relief camps across the State. According to official estimates, a total of 199 houses were destroyed and 3,736 damaged by rain.
