The death toll in Kerala caused by heavy rains and landslides mounted to 21 on Sunday, according to the state’s Information and Public Relations Department. The flood situation has become so grave that two Indian Army teams have been deployed in Thiruvananthapuram and in Kottayam to carry out rescue and relief operations along with the local administration. The Defense Security Corps (DSC) has deployed one team in Kozhikode and one in Wayanad. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. In addition, five more teams have been directed to be deployed in Idukki, Kottayam, Kollam, Kannur and Palakkad districts.
The Air Force and Navy have been instructed to be ready for emergencies. Two choppers of the Air Force reached Thiruvananthapuram from Sulur near Coimbatore. In Pathanamthitta district, it has been reported that people are trapped near Mallappally. The Air Force helicopter was deployed following a recommendation from the District Disaster Management Authority that an airlift may be needed, although firefighters are trying to carry out rescue operations. Navy helicopters were deployed to distribute food parcels to landslide affected areas in Kokkayar.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Army, 40 Indian Army personnel from Pangode Military Station was the first rescue team to be deployed at the site in Kavali in Kottickal of Kottayam district, which had witnessed the loss of lives and heavy damage to property from the thunderstorms since early Friday. The statement further stated that one Column of Army personnel from DSC Centre, Kannur with engineering and medical components arrived at Wayanad and commenced the rescue operations.
Another specialist Engineering Task Force (ETF) under Headquarters Dakshin Bharat Area from Bengaluru arrived at Mundakayam and Koottickal. A total of three columns have been deployed by the Army so far, it said.
The statement further said that despite the harsh and inclement weather conditions the Army reached the spot within a few hours of requisition and have been since employed in assistance to the civil administration in rescue and relief operations in the area. Working since the late hours, the team was the first to reach the site at Kavali and have been successful in recovering three bodies from the debris, it added. The Indian Army said in its statement that during the process of recovery, the team had salvaged a large quantity of gold and expensive accessories which were immediately handed over to the civil administration for further accountability. It also mentioned that the team have also been clearing and managing the traffic on the roads and diverting the flow of water into streams thereby ensuring the unhindered movement of rescue materials. The team is working in close coordination with the DC, Kottayam and the Tehsildar of Kanjirapally in the distribution of the much-needed relief material and in ensuring that normalcy returns in the area at the earliest, it added.
Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the people of the state to remain cautious and prepare themselves to move to relief camps, higher ground or safer localities if requested by government officials. He also advised against inessential travel. The CM said that 105 relief camps have been set up across the state and arrangements made to start more camps as soon as possible amid heavy rainfall and landslides. In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office Vijayan said, “People should take precautions to avoid accidents. Follow the instructions of the authorities and shift if necessary. Avoid unnecessary trips.”
According to the CMO press statement, a red alert has been issued for dams Kaki in Pathanamthitta district, Sholayar in Thrissur district, Peringalkuthu, Kundala, Kallarkutty, Mattupetty and Kallar in Idukki district. A red alert has also been issued for the dams of the irrigation department in Chulliyarbin Palakkad and Peechi in Thrissur district. An orange alert has been declared in Vazhani, Chimmini in Thrissur district and Minkara, Mangalam and Malampuzha in Palakkad district. A blue alert has been issued for Ponmudi dam, Idukki dam in Idukki district and Pampa in Pathanamthitta. A blue alert has also been issued in Pothundi in Palakkad district and Neyyar dams in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the intense spell of rainfall activity over Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is likely to reduce from today. There would be a significant reduction in rainfall in Kerala today as compared to Saturday, said Indian Meteorological Department senior scientist Naresh Kumar on Sunday. “There is going to be rainfall of a maximum of 6-7 cm today as compared to the 29 cm of rainfall recorded Saturday. And thereafter, there would be clear weather,” Kumar said. “Yesterday there was a low-pressure area over south-east Arabian sea adjoining Kerala. Today morning it is markedly less. It is weakened today. Because of its effect, yesterday there was extreme rainfall, more than 29 cm rainfall,” said Kumar.
Fishing has been banned in Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts after IMD warning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday and discussed the situation in the state following heavy rains and landslides. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured the state’s people that the authorities were working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. “It is saddening that some people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families,” PM Modi tweeted.
“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,” the Prime Minister tweeted.