The Indian Army was once again at the forefront of the massive rescue and relief operations launched in aid of the civil administration in Kerala’s Kottayam amid a flood-like situation triggered by heavy rains in the district. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy rains in Kerala for 3-4 days from Wednesday due to the influence of the eastern wind and as part of this, yellow alerts have been issued in 10 districts on 20 October and in six districts on 21 October. The low-pressure area formed in the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep has weakened, but the IMD has forecast heavy rains will continue till Monday evening.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that thirteen bodies from the landslide area in Kottayam and nine bodies of those who went missing in landslide in Kokkayar in Idukki districts have been recovered. According to the press release issued by the Chief Minister Office (CMO), two people from Idukki district are still missing and the rescue operations will continue. “The Chief Minister expressed his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives,” release read. In a press note, Vijayan said that “this shows that the heavy rains are not over and therefore all disaster relief systems will be operating full time in the state.
A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram. In addition, five more teams have been directed to be deployed in Idukki, Kottayam, Kollam, Kannur and Palakkad districts, read the release.
It also said that two teams of the Indian Army are deployed in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam respectively. A single unit of the Defense Security Corps (DSC) has been deployed in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. Two Air Force choppers are stationed at Thiruvananthapuram and INS Garuda in Kochi. They can be deployed at any time in case of requirements. The Volunteer Force and Civil Defense are ready to deal with any emergencies.
Meanwhile, two shutters of the Idamalayar dam will be opened by 80 centimetres each on Tuesday, said Ernakulam District Collector Jafar Malik. Jafar Malik said, “As part of controlling the water level in the Idamalayar dam, the two shutters of the dam will open by 80 cm each tomorrow at 6 am. Water flows at a rate of 100 cubic meters/second. Due to this, no significant change in the water level of the Periyar river is expected.” He added that although the water level in Idamalayar should not be a concern, this move has been taken as a precautionary measure in anticipation of heavy rains and floods in the coming days.
Malik said, “The maximum water level in Idamalayar dam is 169 meters and the current water level is 165.45 meters. Normally, a red alert is issued when the water level rises above 166.80 m.”
He further said that the people living near the river and its tributaries are requested “to be vigilant and follow the instructions of the officials and the people’s representatives.” Malik further added, “Mic announcements are being made in the affected areas ahead of the floodwaters from the dam. Camps are also set up for those who need to be relocated from low-lying areas. District and taluk control rooms will also provide necessary guidance.”
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday condoled the loss of lives due to floods in Kerala and said that the state and the Central governments are doing their best to provide relief and succour to the affected people. “Deeply distressed by the loss of lives due to floods in Kerala. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the safety of those affected by floods. I am sure, the State and Central governments are doing their best to provide relief and succour to the affected people,” tweeted Naidu.