BackKerala rain updates: Death toll mounts to 21; IMD says rainfall to reduce from today
Kerala witnessed extremely heavy rainfall and landslide on SaturdayIdduki and Kottayam districts in Central and South Kerala bore the brunt of the heavy rains that have been lashing the state since Friday
PremiumThe death toll due to the heavy rains and landslides in Kerala has mounted to 21, according to the state's information and public relations department.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the intense spell of rainfall activity over Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is likely to reduce from Sunday.
There would be a significant reduction in rainfall in Kerala today as compared to Saturday, said Indian Meteorological Department senior scientist Naresh Kumar.
Further, personnel from the three defence forces — the Army, Navy and the Air Force have been pressed into action for rescue efforts as the heavy rainfall has battered the state.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged the people to take all precautions against the rain. He informed that the government has set up 105 relief camps across the State and arrangements have been made to start more camps.
The weather department has also issued a 'Yellow alert' for heavy rainfall in eleven districts of Kerala during the next 24 hours. These 11 districts include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode.
The low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala has become less marked and there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall at many places with only isolated heavy rainfall over the state during the next 24 hours and further decrease thereafter, the department said. A rain alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Malappuram on October 20.
Kerala witnessed extremely heavy rainfall and landslide on Saturday.
Idduki and Kottayam districts in Central and South Kerala bore the brunt of the heavy rains that have been lashing the state since Friday with many people feared missing in landslides. Several people have been injured and displaced in rain-related incidents.
A total of 11 teams of the National Disaster Relief Teams (NDRF) have been deployed to the state in coordination with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). The NDRF has rescued a total of 33 people including eight women and seven children.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted a medium-lift helicopter for flood relief efforts in rain-affected districts of Kerala.
Besides, the Indian Army has continued to conduct rescue operations for missing persons in debris in Kavali, Kottayam. Navy Chopper with relief materials already airborne from INS Garuda towards rain-affected areas. Two Air Force Chopper Mi-17 are on standby at AF Station, Shangumugham, according to Defence PRO.
One Column of Army personnel from DSC Centre, Kannur with Engineering and Medical components arrived at Wayanad for the rescue operation. Engineering Task Force from Bengaluru is also expected to arrive at Wayanad soon. A total of three columns have been deployed by the Indian Army so far.
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