Kerala rains updates: Armed forces brought in, rescue ops underway

Heavy rains in Kerala have triggered landslides in Idukki and Kottayam districts killing six people. Other districts such as Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad have been put on red alert, while an orange alert has been announced in six districts -- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad following a downpour on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, Lord Ayyappa devotees have been directed to avoid visiting the Sabarimala shrine today and tomorrow. 
Rescue operations have begun and people are being moved to safer places. 

“A trough lies over southeast near East Central Arabian sea which could bring isolated heavy rainfall in some parts of Kerala in next 24 hours and it will subside further,” IMD said. 

Also Read: Steep gradient, heavy rains led to waterlogging at T3 of IGI airport: DIAL

Here are the top 10 updates:-

•  Though by morning rain intensity had reduced in several parts of Kerala, the state received continuous rain through the night. Meanwhile, there are no instances of flooding yet. 

•  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had held a high-level meeting to strengthen the rescue efforts. He stated that all people stranded in areas that are flooded due to heavy rains will be evacuated using every possible way.  

•  Camps to shelter evacuated people have to be started soon keeping all Covid protocol in mind, directed Pinarayi Vijayan, adding that masks, sanitisers, drinking water, medicines be made available in camps. He said that people who have comorbidities and those who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 must be taken extra care of. 

•  Colleges in the state were scheduled to open from 18 October and now will commence from October 20. 

•  Rahul Gandhi, who is an MP from Wayanad, took to his Twitter handle to wish safety for the people of Kerala. "My thoughts are with the people of Kerala. Please stay safe and follow all safety precautions."

•  Assessment of waterlogged areas in the district facing a flood-like situation similar to Kottayam district was done at a review meeting held at Pathanamthitta collectorate by Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George

•  The heavy rains have caused the water levels to rise in the catchment areas of dams. Increasing water levels in the Maniyar dam have led to the opening of the gates.

•  The rescue operations in Kottayam by the defence forces are being delayed due to bad weather conditions. Kottayam and Idukki have both reported landslides. A total of 12 people are reportedly missing in Kottayam.

•  Army, Navy and Air Force have been deployed on the request of the state government to help the civil administration manage the situation. The NDRF has decided to deploy 11 teams.

Also Read: Heavy rains cause waterlogging and traffic jams in Delhi

•  The reason for the downpour has been attributed to the creation of a low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea off the coast of Kerala by the weather office.