Kerala on alert: 22 dead in heavy rains; Idukki dam opened after 26 years

Top Stories

Kerala on alert: 22 dead in heavy rains; Idukki dam opened after 26 years

Thiruvananthapuram - At least 20 people were killed as heavy rains and landslides hit parts of Kerala.

By PTI

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Thu 9 Aug 2018, 10:24 AM

Last updated: Thu 9 Aug 2018, 8:48 PM

The death toll in rain-related incidents over the last 24 hours in Kerala reached 22 on Thursday as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan postponed Saturday's annual Nehru boat race in Alappuzha following forecast for more rains.
"In the intervening night of August 8-9, 22 person died in various districts of Kerala due to heavy rain and landslides," said a Home Ministry statement, quoting Kerala Emergency Operations Centre.

As per the statement, the death includes 11 from Idukki, five from Malapuram, three from Wayanad, two from Kannur and one from Kozidkode.
Four teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) left from Chennai to Kerala at 1.30pm on Friday. An Inter-ministerial Central team is also visiting the flood-affected area and the Army support is being mobilized from Bengaluru, the statement said.
Earlier, Vijayan, while talking to media, said rains have caused extensive damage to life and property across the state. 

"As we speak, the trial run of opening one shutter of the Idukki dam might have taken place," Vijayan said.
Arrival operations at Cochin airport resume 
Arrival operations at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) resumed nearly two hours after it was suspended in view of possible inundation in the airport area following a rising water level in the Periyar river.
The CIAL is situated close to the river. "As the situation is improved we are resuming all operations from 3.05 pm today," a CIAL spokesperson said. The CIAL had earlier stopped arrival operations from 1.10 pm, as a precautionary measure.

The decision to resume arrival operations was taken after the situation was reviewed by Ernakulam District Collector and top officials of the airport management, the spokesperson said.
Earlier, the Ernakulam district administration conducted a review of the situation at the airport after the water level in a canal near it started rising.
The decision to suspend the arrival operation was taken after four shutters of the Idamalayar dam were opened this morning to release excess water.
One shutter of the Idukki dam was also partially opened as a trial run.
The opening of the dam shutters had resulted in an increase in the water level in the Periyar river.
Heavy rains have been lashing several parts of Kerala for the past few days, leading to a copious inflow into the state's reservoirs.
 
The decision came after four shutters of the Idamalayar dam were opened this morning to release excess water.
One shutter of the Idukki dam was also partially opened as a trial run.
The opening of the dam shutters had resulted in an increase in the water level in the Periyar river.
Arrivals at Cochin International Airport halted after water released from Idukki dam, the report added.
 
 
 
At least 22 killed in heavy rains

Heavy rains have been lashing several parts of Kerala for the past few days, leading to a copious inflow into the state's reservoirs.

According to the disaster control room sources, 10 people were killed in landslides in Idukki, five in Malappuram, two in Kannur and one in Wayanad district. Three persons are missing - one each in Wayanad, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts. Five members of a family lost their lives in Idukki's Adimali town. Two persons were pulled out alive from the debris by the local people and police.
 
 
Around 600 cusecs of water were discharged from the Idamalayar dam this morning, with the water level rising to 169.95 metres against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 169m. The water level at Idukki dam was 2,398 at 8 am, 50 feet against the FRL of 2,403 feet. The administration has been put on high-alert.
 
Due to heavy rains and resultant floods in Kozhikode and Waynad districts, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been moved to Kozhikode. Two teams have been sought from the Centre for north Kerala.
 
Educational institutions have declared a holiday in Idukki, Kollam and some other districts due to the rains.
 


More news from