The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for five districts in Kerala on Saturday as heavy rains continue to lash the state, triggering landslides and flash floods and leading to the deaths of eight people in rain-related incidents.
The red alert has been issued for Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
Heavy rains claim eight lives
Heavy rain and related incidents have claimed eight lives in Kerala.
A mother and her son, identified as Regina and Josephine Johnny, died after a landslide at Payyanithottam in Kottayam. Regina’s body was recovered during the search operation, while her Josephine's body was found earlier.
In Vagamon, a landslide struck a residential house, leading to the death of a man identified as Prabhakaran Nair, a native of Vaikom.
In Idukki, landslides claimed the life of Sumathi who was buried under. The landslide completely buried the house where Sumathi lived with her family. Her husband, Ravi, and their son survived the incident.
A four-year-old child was swept away by floodwaters in Kondotty, Malappuram, and an 11-year-old child died after falling into a waterlogged area in Vakathanam, Kottayam.
A two-year-old boy, Muhammad Muhaini, died after being swept away by floodwaters in Thiruvali, Malappuram, on Saturday. The child reportedly fell into a river after being caught in the strong flow of rainwater.
Shutters of dams opened
Authorities opened the shutters of the Neyyar Dam after the reservoir reached its full reservoir level (FRL) of 84.750 metres following continuous heavy rainfall. The dam's shutters have been raised by 20 centimetres each to regulate the rising water level.
KSEB has opened all five shutters of Kallarkutty Dam in Idukki by six feet to release excess water after the reservoir reached maximum capacity amid heavy rainfall.
Holidays declared for educational institutions
In light of the continous rains, holidays have been declared for eight districts in Kerala on Saturday including Idukki, Pathanamathitta, Wayanad, Palakkad, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
Relief camps opened, control rooms activated in Wayanad
The district administration has opened relief camps and activated control rooms as heavy rain continues to affect several parts of Wayanad.
To coordinate relief and emergency response, four control rooms have been made operational across the district.
Control Room Numbers:
District Control Room: 04936-204151, 9526804151, 8078409770Vythiri Taluk: 04936-256100, 04936-255229, 8590842965, 9447097705Sulthan Bathery Taluk: 04936-220296, 04936-223355, 6238461385, 9447097707Mananthavady Taluk: 04935-240231, 04935-241111, 9446637748, 9447097704
Residents can also contact the 24x7 toll-free emergency helpline: 1077 for assistance.
With rivers in spate, several tourism destinations have been closed across Kerala and people have been urged to exercise caution.