Unrelenting rains in Kerala have caused rising water levels, landslips and flooding across the State in the last few days.
Heavy rain and landslips in the eastern hill areas of the district bordering Karnataka forced many families to move to nearby safer places as they are in danger of being inundated by flooding in the Iritty river and its tributary that form the upstream of the Valapattanam and Kuppam rivers.
Alappuzha district has been flooded , while torrential rain, accompanied by gusty winds, threw life out of gear in Wayanad and Kannur .
Here are the latest updates:
Tamil Nadu government announces an immediate contribution ₹5 crore from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund to Kerala government, reports Dennis S. Jesudasan.
22 killed; 22 reservoirs have been opened
At least 22 people have died in Kerala due to heavy rains and landslides, the Home Ministry said on Thursday.
Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 45 personnel each, have left Chennai for Kerala to assist the rescue and relief operations.
An Inter-Ministerial Central Team of the Central government is also visiting flood-affected areas in Kerala, while Army troops are being mobilised from Bengaluru for deployment in the rain-battered southern State.
Water levels rise in various dams and reach almost their maximum capacity. — PTI
Watch: Flood, landslips across Kerala
For the first time, shutters of 22 dams including Idamalayar was opened on Thursday due to heavy rains. Meanwhile, the Naduvath-Vellambaram Road at Nayattukallu near Wandoor caved in due to the speed of the raging waters.
The Naduvath-Vellambaram Road at Nayattukallu near Wandoor caved in on Thursday
Watch: Road caves in as heavy rains lash Kerala
Acute drinking water crisis started gripping Palakkad Municipality and surrounding grama panchayats on Thursday morning despite heavy rains with the flash floods in Kalpathy River bursting the main pipeline that carries drinking water from Malampuzha reservoir to the pumping station.
Flight operations through Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery resumed at 3.10 pm, two hours after the arriving operations were suspended.
Airport sources said that while the runway wasn’t affected in any way, water has encroached into some parts of the operational areas. The temporary cancellation of services was a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of flights.
An Oman Airways flight from Muscat, WY 223, scheduled to arrive at 2 p.m. was diverted while an Air Asia flight from Bangalore was cancelled during the period of suspension of services
Four units of the Army were deployed in the flood- affected areas in Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram districts to assist the civilian administration in rescue and relief works, even as the death toll rose to 20 by Thursday noon.
An emergency control room has been opened at the International terminal of the Kochi airport. The contact no. is: 0484 3053500
Cheruthoni dam shutter opened
One shutter of the Cheruthoni dam in Idukki has been opened to ease the pressure of water on the Idukki hydel reservoir. This has been done after a gap of 26 years. The Idukki and Ernakulam district administrations have warned those living on the banks of the Periyar in the morning about the impending opening of the shutter after the government's approval.
A meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, gave the go-ahead after reviewing the situation consequent upon the water level in the dam crossing the 2398 ft. mark.
One dies at Manikandanchal in Ernakulam district
One person died at Manikandanchal along the banks of the Pooyamkutty river, a tributary of Periyar, on Wednesday night.
According to local residents, he died out of the shock after seeing the surge in water level.
The surge in water level and strong currents delayed the body from being brought to the church across the river. Some persons braved the adverse conditions to transport the body on a small raft on Thursday morning.
Rescue underway in Kozhikode
Rescue squads make attempts to shift the 48 families living on the banks of the Chalippuzha near Elanthukadavu to relief camps.
The water levels are at dangerous levels, prompting the disaster management authority to arrange more number of relief camps in the rural areas. Efforts are also on to safely bring back 12 families who were trapped at the Marippuzha following the collapse of a bridge. Community Rescue Volunteers are in action in most of the flood-hit areas using country boats.
A bridge at Marippuzha near Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode district, which was destroyed on Thursday.
Two people die in building collapse
Heavy rains in the eastern hill areas bordering Karnataka continued on Thursday, aggravating flooding that started on August 7 following incessant rain in the areas and the landslips in the interiors of the forests.
Ayyankunnu and Aralam villages in the Iritty taluk were worst affected by floods as the water levels of the Valapattanam river and its tributary rose in the upstream.
Two people of Ayyankunnu — a 75-year old man and his daughter-in-law — died when the concrete slab of their house fell on them as the building collapsed in a landslip and subsequent flow of debris and mud.
Territorial Army deployed in Iritty taluk for rescue work
A 30-member team of the 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) stationed in Kannur was deployed in the flood-affected areas in Iritty taluk on Thursday for flood relief and rescue operations.
Personnel of the Kannur-based 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) removing debris caused by landslide at Paraykkapara in the Iritty taluk in Kannur on Thursday morning.
The personnel, led by a Junior Commissioned Officer, reached the area at 8 p.m. on August 8. They said they reached the area in 40 minutes after they got instructions from District Collector Mir Muhammad Ali. The personnel cleared debris caused by the flooding and landslips.
Trains between Palakkad and Coimbatore affected
Train operations between Palakkad and Coimbatore junctions have been affected since 10 a.m. on Thursday after tracks in the `B' line were submerged in rainwater at walayar across the State border.
Now, all trains are being rerouted through the 'A' line.
The catchment areas of the Malampuzha reservoir have received 204 mm rains since early morning.
Most parts of Palakkad town, including Kalpathy and Chandra Nagar, have been inundated owing to heavy rain. Rescue boats are being used to relocate those trapped in the Andimadam islands.
There is heavy flow in the Chittur river with the authorities opening the shutters of the Parambikulam and Aliyar dams. People have been strictly warned against bathing and fishing in any of the rivers in the district.
A holiday has been declared for all educational institutions, including professional colleges.
One dies in Wayanad
The Southwest monsoon has claimed the life of a person in Wayanad district. She has been identified as Lilly, wife of George, from Vythiri.
The woman was killed after earth caved in in their house in the early hours of the day. Two houses were destroyed and seven houses partially damaged in the landslip near the Vythiri police station. About a dozen houses have been partially damaged in the past 24 hours.
Kuttiyadi dam shutters opened
The shutters of the Kuttiyadi dam, under the Kerala State Electricity Board, in Kozhikode district have been opened, considering the increase in the water level.
People living on either side of the dam have been advised to remain cautious.
Trial run at Cheruthoni dam
The State goverment has given its nod for a trial run at the Cheruthoni dam to ease pressure on the Idukki hydel reservoir.
Water level of the Idukki dam has reached 2397.80 ft.
It has been left to the heads of departments concerned to monitor the situation and decide the time of trial run, if necessary.
16 feared dead across State
At least 16 people are feared dead and more than a dozen missing in separate rain-related incidents in Wayanad and Idukki. Wayanad district was cut off from the rest of the State by a series of landslips along key ghat roads. Most rivers in the State were in spate and the water level in reservoirs was nearing the danger mark due to the heavy inflow caused by incessant rains in the catchment areas.
Revenue Minister E.Chandrasekharan convened an emergency meeting of key officials to take stock of the situation and launch relief measures.
Major landslips occurred at Rajapuram and Adimali in Idukki and Thamarassery and Kuttiyadi in Wayanad districts, with minor ones reported from various places in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur and Palakkad.
Chaliyar river rises by 10 feet
The water in the Chaliyar river in Malappuram rose by over 10 feet, submerging its banks in Nilambur and Eranad taluks. Dozens of families have been evacuated.
The Chaliyar and its tributaries have taken the brunt of the dozen-odd landslips that took place in the hilly forests of Nilambur on Wednesday night. The result was unexpected flooding of the streams, canals and rivers in the north-eastern part of the district.
Several small bridges across the canals have collapsed in the flooding. Roads at Nilambur and neighbouring areas have been inundated, disrupting vehicular access.
Six killed in Malappuram
Landslips and floods caused by incessant rain devastated the eastern hilly part of Malappuram district on Thursday, claiming six lives of an Adivasi family at Chettiyanpara near Erumamunda.
Five bodies were recovered in the morning. They were identified as Parambadan Kunhi, 56, Geeta, 29, Navaneet, 8, Nived, 3, and Mithun, 16. They were caught in the floodwaters when trying to escape from a landslide that took place near Adyanpara waterfalls. Their bodies have been kept at Mar Thoma Hospital, Chungathara. A search is on to find Kunhi’s son Subramanian, 30.
Multiple incidents of landslips in rural Kozhikode
The district administration has sought the support of the National Disaster Response Force following multiple incidents of landslips in the rural areas of Kozhikode.
Several houses were damaged in the landslips occured within the limits of Thamarassery taluk. Traffic has been disrupted on the Wayanad ghat road as land caved at several stretches.
Several families under the Thamarassery taluk have been relocated to safer locations. Search is on to locate a Thamarassery native who was found missing in the floodwater. Police said the youth went missing while he was trying to move his car to a safer location.
Rural schools are remaining closed following the Collector's order. A three-member Central team too is in the city to take stock of the monsoon-related disasters.
Life thrown out of gear in Palakkad district
Heavy rains have thrown life out of gear in most parts of Palakkad district.
Landslips were reported from Kava, Parappana and Elival, hilly regions forming part of the catchment area of Kerala's largest irrigation dam Malampuzha. No casualties have been reported.
As the Malampuzha dam reached Maximum Storage Level, each of the three shutters were opened up to 90 cm.
District Administration has enforced a ban on entry of tourists into the Malampuzha Dam and Garden till situation improves. Many areas of Nenmara have been inundated after opening shutters of Pothundi Dam.
The Nilapathy Road bridge near Parali has been inundated and road traffic between Ottappalam and Palakkad remains badly affected.
Vehicular movement prohibited in Palakkad-Malampuzha-Kanjikode road after Kadakkamkunnu bridge submerged in the overflowing waters from River Kalpathy.
Traffic along Kuttampuzha-Pooyamkutty route remains disrupted after earth from side embankments caved in at many places. Uprooted trees have also fallen on the road. Fire and rescue personnel are engaged in clearing the road.
State Revenue Department on high alert
The State Revenue Department has put all its offices and personnel on high alert.
Noting that the State is 'facing an unprecedented situation', it said the entire Revenue administration would remain on full alert.
All village offices and Taluk offices will be opened at the earliest and remain as such until further orders. No leave would be allowed during the period of high alert, a Revenue Department announcement said.
Meanwhile, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Idukki district administrations have sought army help, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) announced.
Aluva authorities concerned about rising water levels
Till Wednesday night, revenue authorities were expecting only a limited release of water through a single shutter, resulting in rise in water level of Periyar by around only one metre. But with all four shutters being opened, there is, as yet, no clear idea about the expected rise in water levels in the Periyar.
The Bhoothathankettu barrage in full flow after the release of water from Idamalayar dam on the morning of Thursday, August 9, 2018
However, the continued rise in water level since the shutters have been opened have left authorities anxious.
Around 13 villages of Aluva taluk are expected to be affected by the release of water from Idamalayar dam. Officials have identified five to six potential relief shelters in all these villages. The initial calculation put the number of families likely to be affected at 4000. But with more water being released through all four shutters, that number may also rise.
All shutters of Idamalayar Dam opened
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on Thursday opened all four shutters of the Idamalayar Dam as heavy rain continued to lash its catchment areas.
With the inflow to the reservoir on the rise, the first three shutters were opened at 5. a.m, while the fourth one was opened after 8 am.
All shutters were opened by 80 cms in the beginning, but three shutters ended up being raised by two meters each and the fourth one by one meter.
Around 700 cubic metres per second (cumecs) of water is being released. The KSEB had declared a ‘Red Alert’ on Wednesday after water breached 168. 20 metres out of the full reservoir limit of 169 metres.
