Kerala rain latest: IMD issues ‘red alert’ in six districts; Six killed, a dozen missing in rain-related incidents

Pathanamthitta and Kottayam are the worst-affected districts by the torrential rains. (Twitter/ANI)

Due to heavy rains in the state, many areas of south and central Kerala were submerged in water. As visuals of rivers in spate amid torrential rains surfaced on social media, the India Meteorological Department issued a ‘red alert’ warning of extremely heavy rainfall in five districts.

Six dead, a dozen missing: Report
State Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan, who arrived in the neighborhood of these landslide-hit villages, said two women and a child had died while searches were on to recover the body of a person killed in the incident. At least 12 people are missing from these villages, he said. In a separate rain-related incident, a 30-year-old man and a woman were killed when a car was washed away in flood waters at Kanjar in Idukki district, police said. He said their bodies have been recovered.

In view of the Red Alert in 5 districts of Kerala, Southern Naval Command Headquarters is ready to assist the local administration in the rescue operations. Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has sought assistance from Southern Naval Command, Kochi for airlifting the stranded families at Kuttikkal, Kottayam. pic.twitter.com/1R6rSTAEnu

— ANI (@ANI) 16 October 2021

Four killed in landslide
As heavy rains continue in Kerala and six districts have been put on red alert, four people have died in landslides at Kootikkal in Kottayam and Kokkayar in Idukki districts.

IMD issues ‘red alert’ for Kerala
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a ‘Red Alert’ for Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. An ‘Orange Alert’ for very heavy rains has been issued for Palakkad, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Wayanad districts.

In its latest statement, the IMD said that under the influence of a low pressure area over southeast Arabian Sea off Kerala coast, heavy to very heavy rains are very likely to occur at isolated places over the state till Sunday morning. . The weatherman has predicted isolated heavy rain on Monday as well, but the rain has subsided since Tuesday morning.

Kerala Chief Minister’s Appeal
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed for extra vigil in the next 24 hours. The CPI(M) politburo member said in a post on his official Facebook page that it has already rained in the southern and central districts of the state. He warned that as per the IMD’s forecast, the rains would intensify in the northern districts by evening.

rivers in spaete
Vijayan said the water level in many rivers is expected to rise and the state may have to open the sluice gates of some dams. He said that the residents living in the catchment areas of the rivers should be ready to follow the instructions.

The government has extended the four shutters of the Neyyar dam by 240 cm amid rising water levels. State officials said the shutters of the Aruvikkara dam would be extended by 350 cm.

The water level of rivers including Manimala and Meenachal is rising continuously.

miraculous escape
Two children sustained minor injuries when a wall of their house collapsed following incessant rain in Chempakamangalam on Friday. Family sources said that when the children were sleeping, the wall fell on their bed.

frightening images
A viral clip on social media shows a bus stuck in an alleyway filled with water as passengers struggle to come out – one of the most defining images of the horrors of rain.

In another clip, some people are seen trying to pull out a vehicle using only a rope in the midst of rain.

off-limits tourist places
Thiruvananthapuram Collector Navjot Khosa has urged people to avoid visiting tourist places or near rivers and water bodies.

Damage to roads was reported in several districts including Kottayam and Kollam. In Kuttanad, the state’s ‘rice bowl’ spread over Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, severe waterlogging has made life miserable.

IAF sought assistance
The Kerala government has sought assistance from the Indian Air Force for carrying out rescue operations after the landslide. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the help of the Indian Air Force has been sought to carry out the rescue operation at Koottical in Kottayam district after some families were isolated after a landslide.

Ten missing in Kottayam
Cooperation and Registration Minister VN Vasavan gave information PTI 10 people are missing after three houses were washed away due to heavy rains in Kottayam.

Pathanamthitta and Kottayam are the worst-affected districts by the torrential rains.

disaster management
Thrissur administration has urged people living in low-lying and disaster prone areas and river banks to move to higher places.

The state administration has also banned fishing boats from going into the sea.

Revenue Minister K. Rajan took stock of the damage by holding an online meeting of the district collectors.

Health Minister Veena George also called an online meeting of MLAs at Pathanamthitta Collectorate. Pathanamthitta saw severe destruction during the 2018 floods.

covid-19 status
Kerala is still in the midst of a Covid-19 wave and heavy rains may make it difficult for healthcare workers to reach patients.