Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in flooded areas.
At least 21 people have been killed in Kerala since Saturday night as a result of the heavy rains that triggered landslides in the districts of Idukki and Kottayam. 13 have been found dead in Kottayam, and eight in Idukki.
At least 12 people were reported missing in Kottayam. All 12 bodies have been recovered, as well as another body of someone who had not been reported missing.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting to intensify the rescue efforts and said that all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in areas flooded due to heavy rain in the state, including Kottayam.
On the state government's request, the Army, Navy and Air Force have stepped in to help the civil administration handle the situation. The National Disaster Response Force has decided to deploy 11 teams. 33 people, including eight women and seven children, have been rescued so far.
Rain intensity in most parts of Kerala has reduced as of Sunday morning, however, there was continuous rain through Saturday night. No new instances of flooding yet.
Here are the Highlights on the Kerala Rain:
Kerala Floods: Jairam Ramesh Blames Non-Implementation Of 2011 Panel ReportSenior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday blamed the non implementation of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report authored by eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil in 2011, as the major reason for frequent occurrences of devastating floods and landslides in hilly areas of Kerala, reported news agency PTI.
"Whenever there is a natural disaster in Kerala, the Madhav Gadgil's Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report of 2011 is recalled. A decade later it remains unimplemented -- despite devastating floods in 2018 and 2020", Mr Ramesh wrote on twitter, a day after flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc killing people and damaging properties in hilly areas of Kerala's Kottayam and Idukki districts.
Army Conducts Rescue Operation Amid Flood-Like Situation In Kerala's KottayamThe Indian Army has launched a massive rescue operation to aid the civil administration in Kerala's Kottayam amid a flood-like situation triggered by heavy rains in the district, reported news agency ANI. According to a statement issued by the Indian Army, 40 Indian Army personnel from Pangode Military Station was the first rescue team to be deployed at the site in Kavali in Kottickal of Kottayam district which had witnessed the loss of lives and heavy damage to property from the thunderstorms since early Friday.
"Saddening": PM Modi Condoles Kerala Rain Deaths
Kerala Floods: Deaths climb to 21 as two more bodies are recovered in IdukkiTwo more bodies were recovered from Kakkayar in the Idukki district, taking the total death count from the Kerala flood so far to 21, of which 13 bodies were found in Kottayam, and eight in Idukki.
While bodies of all reported missing persons have been recovered, search operations by the armed forces are still underway, as unreported bodies continue to resurface.
PM Modi speaks with Kerala Chief Minister over floods and landslides in the state
PM Modi today spoke with Kerala Chief Minister about the floods in the state, saying "I pray for everyone's safety and well-being".
Reduced rainfall predicted in Kerala today; tomorrow to be clear weather, said Weather Office
There will be a significant reduction in rainfall in Kerala today as compared to Saturday, said Indian Meteorological Department senior scientist Naresh Kumar on Sunday.
There is going to be rainfall of a maximum of 6-7 cm today as compared to the 29 cm of rainfall recorded Saturday. And thereafter, there should be clear weather.
"Yesterday there was a low-pressure area over south-east Arabian sea adjoining Kerala. Today morning it is markedly less. It is weakened today. Because of its effect, yesterday there was extreme rainfall, more than 29 cm rainfall," said Mr Kumar.
"If it rains heavily at night, it'll create problems," said Kottayam District Collector on search operations amid Kerala floods
"Presently, the situation is under control. If it rains heavily at night, it'll create problems. A total of 12 bodies recovered & postmortem is going on. Body of one person who wasn't on the list also recovered. No other missing persons reported," said Kottayam District Collector PK Jayasree, commenting on the status of recovering the 13 missing persons previously reported in the Kottayam district.
Kerala Floods: Deaths climb to 19 as bodies of all missing persons are recovered in Kottayam
Kerala Floods: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told people to prepare themselves to move to a relief camp
The Central Meteorological Department has warned of thundershowers and strong winds across Kerala till today evening.
With 105 relief camps set up across the state amid heavy rainfall and landslides, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people in the state to remain cautious and prepare themselves to move to a relief camp, higher ground or safer localities if requested by government officials. He also advised against inessential travel.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister's office Mr Vijayan said, "People should take precautions to avoid accidents. Follow the instructions of the authorities and shift if necessary. Avoid unnecessary trips."
Kerala Rain: Indian Air Force medium-lift helicopters inducted for flood relief efforts
The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), the Air Force, Navy, and the Army have all been pressed into service in assisting rescue and relief operations.
Kerala Floods: National Disaster Management Authority advises how to stay safe in the event of a landslide
Kerala Floods: Death count climbs to 15
As more bodies are recovered, the deaths climb to 15, with 12 bodies being found in Kottayam, and 3 in Idukki.
Kerala Floods: 33 people rescued so far
A total of 33 people, including eight women and seven children, have been rescued so far, according to the National Disaster Response Force.
Kerala Chief Minister says 105 relief camps have been set up across the state"People are requested to take all precautions against the rain. 105 relief camps have been set up across the state and arrangements have been made to start more camps," said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the heavy rains in Kerala since last night.
"As per Central Water Commission, the water level in Madamon, Kalluppara, Thumpaman, Pullakayar, Manikkal, Vellaikadavu and Aruvipuram dams in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram districts is rising," continued the Chief Minister.
Kerala Floods: Death count rises to 11 as two more bodies are found in KottayamTwo more bodies were recovered by search teams from the landslide at Koottikkal in the Kottayam district. The death count rises to 11 in Kerala as a result of heavy rains causing flooding, with nine dead in Kottayam and two in Idukki.
Centre will provide all possible support to help people in need: Amit Shah on Kerala Rain
Weather office issues yellow alert for heavy rain in 11 districts in KeralaThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in eleven districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
Armed forces conduct search operations in debris following landslideIndian Army is conducting rescue operations for missing persons in debris in Kavali, Kottayam. A Navy Chopper with relief materials is already airborne from INS Garuda towards rain-affected areas. Two Air Force Chopper Mi-17 are on standby at AF Station, Shangumugham, said a Defence PRO.
Kerala Floods: Deaths climb to 8 as three more bodies are recovered in Kottayam
Three more bodies have been recovered from Koottikkal in Kottayam district after heavy rains in the area triggered a landslide. There have been eight confirmed deaths so far, as a result of the Kerala flooding.