Kerala flood toll touches 60, heavy rain likely for two more days

Over 2 lakh people evacuated to 1,551 camps, says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The toll in

rain-related incidents in Kerala climbed to 60 by Sunday morning, even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that heavy rain was likely to continue for two more days.

As many as 2,27,333 people (65,548 families) had been evacuated to 1,551 camps so far, he said after convening a high-level meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre here.

“ Weather updates show heavy rain could persist for two more days in the State. So we should continue to maintain high alert,’’ he said. On Sunday, red alerts were in place for Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod districts.

With rainfall diminishing in intensity,

rescue operations have resumed in the landslip-hit Kavalappara in Malappuram and Meppadi in Wayanad. “The intensity of the rainfall has decreased in Malappuram. But the rescue effort is hampered by soil deposits that are 10 to 12 feet thick,’’ he said.

Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force and one team each of the military engineers, the Madras Regiment and Coast Guard are involved in the operations in Kavalappara where about 40 people are feared missing.

Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force are also engaged in the rescue and relief operations in Malappuram and Wayanad. “Eight people are missing in Meppadi. It is expected that rescue operations will be carried out efficiently today,’’ the Chief Minister said.

The Kuttiadi, Banasura Sagar and Poringalkuthu dams maintained by the Kerala State Electricity Board were full. The shutters of five medium-sized and three small dams of the Irrigation Department also had been opened, he said.