Search operations continue in flood-affected Kerala after Saturday night's heavy rains. (File)
The death count in the devastating landslides and flash floods that had occurred in south-central districts of Kerala has gone up to 24 on Monday, with the Navy and NDRF recovering two more bodies from the slush and debris, as the state government put the number of deaths in rain-related incidents since October 12 at 38.
According to officials, this includes 13 people who died in the landslide hit Koottickal in Kottayam district whose bodies have already been recovered and 11 who died in various rain related incidents in Idukki district.
Idukki district authorities said the Navy, NDRF, Fire force personnel and others have been engaged in rescue operations at Kokkayar and other regions of the district which were ravaged by numerous landslips on October 16 where one more person is said to be missing.
Heavy rains on Monday lashed several parts of north India, including Uttarakhand, where five people were killed in rain-related incidents, while a red alert for 10 dams was issued in Kerala due to incessant downpour in the southern state.
In Delhi, the month of October this year has been the wettest since 1960, when the city had recorded 93.4 mm of rainfall, according to data shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Heavy rainfall also lashed several parts of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
Due to heavy downpour, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan postponed his campaign tour to Khandwa for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll there, while in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's rally had to be cancelled in Budhana town as the venue was submerged in rainwater.
Authorities in Uttarakhand advised Chardham pilgrims, who arrived in Haridwar and Rishikesh by Sunday, not to proceed to the Himalayan temples till the weather improves.
Here are the Highlights on the weather across India:
Watch: Nainital's Iconic Mall Road Flooded As Lake's Water Level RisesWater from the Naini Lake in Uttarakhand's Nainital overflowed its banks this evening, flooding the iconic Mall Road that runs parallel to the lake as rain continues to batter the mountain state for over 24 hours straight.
People are seen wading through ankle-deep water with vehicles making a splash as they drove by.
All national highways running from Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora to Haldwani and Kathgodam have been blocked as incessant rains pummelled Uttarakhand for the second consecutive day today. Passenger vehicles are not being allowed to cross the Chandrabhaga bridge, Tapovan, Lakshman Jhoola and Muni-ki-Reti Bhadrakali barriers in Rishikesh.
Kerala Rains: 38 Deaths Since October 12, Death Count In Kerala Landslips Rises To 24, One Person Still MissingThe death count in the devastating landslides and flash floods that had occurred in south-central districts of Kerala has gone up to 24 on Monday, with the Navy and NDRF recovering two more bodies from the slush and debris, as the state government put the number of deaths in rain-related incidents since October 12 at 38.
According to officials, this includes 13 people who died in the landslide hit Koottickal in Kottayam district whose bodies have already been recovered and 11 who died in various rain related incidents in Idukki district.
Idukki district authorities said the Navy, NDRF, Fire force personnel and others have been engaged in rescue operations at Kokkayar and other regions of the district which were ravaged by numerous landslips on October 16 where one more person is said to be missing.
They said two more bodies were recovered from the district today, taking the toll there to 11.
On October 16, rescuers had recovered bodies of a man and a woman who were travelling in a car which was swept away in the flood waters in Kanjar area of Idukki district.
"Till now, we have found the bodies of 11 people. One person is still missing. The search by Navy and NDRF will continue," Idukki district Collector Sheeba George told PTI.
Heavy Rains Trigger Flash Floods In Himachal Pradesh, Link Road Blocked In KinnaurA link road was blocked in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district due to flash floods triggered by heavy rains on Monday, a disaster management official said.
According to information received from Kinnaur district, the link road from National Highway-05 to Moorang has been blocked due to flash floods at Khogpa Nullah in Moorang Tehsil.
Rains Improves Air Quality In DelhiRainfall in the national capital on Monday brought the much needed respite from air pollution with farm fires contributing only one percent to PM 2.5 in the city's air.
Delhi's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 46 in the "good" category with PM 2.5 as the lead pollutant, said Ministry of Earth Sciences'' forecast body SAFAR.
"Local land surfaces are wet and so dust re-suspension is minimum which led to low PM10. Presence of western disturbance has led to scattered rainfall over north India, leading to low biomass burning. This condition improved AQI with low PM2.5.
"Fire counts have been reduced to 170 and its share is only 1% to PM2.5. Moist surfaces inhibit re-suspension of dust which will keep AQI in "good" category for next 24 hours and after that AQI will degrade to "satisfactory" for Delhi," said SAFAR.
According to the data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), 60 farm fires were recorded collectively in the six northern states out of which Punjab recorded 57 incidents, Haryana had one and Rajasthan had two fire incidents.
There were no fires in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Two Shutters Of Dam In Kerala To Be Opened TomorrowTwo shutters of the Idukki dam will be opened on Tuesday, said Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine on Monday.
The decision was taken in a meeting with experts of the water resources department. A total of 64 families will be shifted from the area.
Earlier in the day, an orange alert was issued for the Idukki dam reservoir from 7 am on Monday by the Dam Safety Authority of the state. As rains lashed the state causing landslides and flash floods in several parts, the authorities intensified measures to prevent casualties.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rains in Kerala for 3-4 days from October 13 due to the influence of the eastern wind and as part of this, yellow alerts have been issued in 10 districts on October 20 and in six districts on October 21.
The low-pressure area formed in the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep has weakened but the national weather forecasting agency has predicted that heavy rains will continue till Monday evening.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Takes Stock Of Excessive Rainfall Situation In StateUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday took detailed information from officials concerned on the situation of excessive rainfall in the state.
He has been taking stock of the situation from the disaster control room of the state's secretariat.
"I am continuously taking stock of the rain falling in different areas of the state. Taking information about the rain situation in the districts from all the district magistrates over phone, instructions have been given to provide every hourly report of the rain and traffic situation in the district," the Chief Minister said in a tweet in Hindi.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Uttarakhand with a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state on Monday.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls very likely at isolated places over Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh," IMD said in its daily weather bulletin issued on Monday morning.
As a precautionary measure, the Badrinath Yatra has been halted, and passengers en route to Badrinath were stopped in safe places.
The IMD in a tweet yesterday said that as a result of westerly disturbances interaction with low-level easterlies, Uttarakhand and other states would be experiencing thunderstorms and heavy rainfall activity.
Roads Flooded, Kerala Couple Found Ingenious Way To Reach Wedding VenueAmid the tragic news that 24 people have died in two landslide and flood-affected Kerala districts, there is some heart-warming news from the southern state - the story of young couple who refused to let the weather spoil their wedding fineries or delay the ceremony.
The resourceful couple - Aishwarya and Akash - converted a large aluminum cooking vessel into a boat to reach their wedding venue (itself partially flooded) in Thalavady in Alappuzha district.
The two were wed this morning in a small ceremony witnessed by a limited number of relatives.
"It was an auspicious time (the muhurath) and we just wanted to get the wedding done," a family member told reporters after videos of the unusual wedding 'procession' were widely shared online.
Three Dead As Incessant Rains Lash Uttarakhand; Chardham Yatra Halted Temporarily Three labourers from Nepal died and two were injured with incessant rains lashing Uttarakhand for the second consecutive day on Monday as the authorities advised Chardham pilgrims not to proceed to the Himalayan temples till the weather improves.
The labourers were staying in a tent at Samkhal near Lansdowne in Pauri district when rubble flowing down from a field above due to the rains buried them alive, District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Jogdande said.
They had been engaged in a hotel construction work in the area. The injured were admitted to the Kotdwar base hospital, he said.
Meanwhile, Chardham pilgrims who arrived in Haridwar and Rishikesh by Sunday have been asked not to proceed further till the weather improves, while operation of vehicles for the Himalayan temples has been suspended temporarily.
Passenger vehicles are not being allowed to cross the Chandrabhaga bridge, Tapovan, Lakshman Jhoola and Muni-ki-Reti Bhadrakali barriers in Rishikesh.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the state disaster control room at the secretariat here to take weather updates and know the conditions of roads and highways.
Kerala Rains: Expert Committee To Decide On Opening Of Dams Amid Heavy RainfallAn expert committee has been tasked to decide the opening of shutters of various dams in Kerala on Monday in the backdrop of incessant rains which caused flash floods and landslides.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting today to assess the rainfall situation and the water levels in various dams in the state.
The expert committee will decide the opening of dams considering the water levels in the respective dams. The exact time of opening dams will be informed to the concerned District Collectors so that they can safely evacuate people, the Chief Minister said.
Currently, 184 relief camps have been opened in the state. Camps should have adequate facilities including food, clothing and bedding. The Chief Minister also seek the assistance of local organizations.
Central, state agencies and locals are working together for rescue operations, including search for those missing. People must be evacuated from landslide-prone areas said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also directed the district collectors to intensify the distribution of financial assistance and that districts should give details of crop losses.
Kerala Rains: Dalai Lama Expresses Sadness Over Loss Of Lives, Announces Financial AidThe Dalai Lama on Monday expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property due to the heavy rains and landslides in Kerala and offered financial assistance for the relief and rescue work there.
In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Tibetian spiritual leader said, "I offer my condolences to you, to the families who have lost loved ones and to all affected by the devastation."
"I understand that the state government and concerned authorities are making every effort to provide help to those in need and that relief efforts are well underway. As a token of my sympathy, I would like to make a donation from the Dalai Lama Trust towards the rescue and relief efforts," he wrote.
The death count in incidents related to heavy rains, including landslides and flash floods, rose to 23 on Sunday. The casualties occurred on Saturday due to landslides and flash floods in the hilly areas of Kottayam and Idukki districts following heavy rains.
Rajasthan Rain: Light to moderate rainfall received in many parts of the stateLight to moderate rainfall occurred at many places in Rajasthan, while isolated areas received heavy rain during the last 24 hours, the weather department said today.
Highest of 158 mm rainfall occurred in Baran district's Kishanganj area, followed by Sapotra in Karauli, where 130 mm was recorded till Monday morning since Sunday, it said.
Hindaun (Karauli), Karauli city, Roopwas (Bharatpur) and Mangrol (Baran) recorded 122, 107, 82 and 81 mm, while several other places received below 80 mm rains during this period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The rainfall activities were triggered by western disturbance. Some areas in Alwar, Dausa, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Bundi, Kota and Jhalawar may receive light rains today.
The effect of the western disturbance will end on Tuesday.
Weather office issues Red Alert for Uttarakhand and western UPIndia Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr. Mohapatra to NDTV on Red Alert issued by IMD for Uttarakhand and western UP:
We have issued Red Alert warning for some districts in Uttarakhand and Western UP as heavy rainfall has been recorded there in last 24 hours and more heavy rainfall is expected in next 24 hours as well.
In Kerala, the volume of rainfall has reduced in last 24 hours. We have forecasted light to moderate intensity rainfall in North Kerala.
Uttarakhand Rain: National Disaster Response Force Director General says 10 NDRF teams have been deployed in the state
Bengal Rain: Heavy rain in all districts of south Bengal today and tomorrowInclement weather prevailed over most parts of south Bengal today as continuous rain with one or two spells of heavy downpour affected normal life in the city and several other places.
The weather department has forecast heavy rain in all the districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata today and tomorrow.
The coastal districts of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas will receive very heavy rainfall till Wednesday morning, while districts of Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly are very likely to receive torrential rain tomorrow, the weatherman said.
The inclement weather has been caused by a low pressure system over north Telangana and strong southeasterly wind from Bay of Bengal.
Normal life disrupted in western UP due to heavy rainfallHeavy rainfall disrupted normal life in some districts of western Uttar Pradesh on Monday, inundating several areas, and led to the cancellation of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's rally in Budhana town.
Districts like Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Meerut have received heavy downpour since Sunday morning. This has led to waterlogging and electricity supply disruption is several parts of these districts.
Uttarakhand Rain: Chardham pilgrims told not to proceed to Himalayan temples till weather improvesIncessant rains lashed Uttarakhand for the second consecutive day on Monday, prompting the authorities to advise Chardham pilgrims not to proceed to the Himalayan temples till the weather improves.
Pilgrims headed for Yamunotri have been asked to stay in Badkot and Jankichatti, whereas those en route to Gangotri have been asked to stay in Harsil, Bhatwari and Maneri, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Mayur Dikshit said.
Kedarnath and Badrinath-bound pilgrims have also been requested not to proceed on their journey till the weather clears. Most of the pilgrims on way to Badrinath are staying in Joshimath and Chamoli, Chamoli district disaster management officer NK Joshi said.
Around 4,000 yatris headed for Kedarnath have been stopped in Linchauli and Bhimbali as a precautionary measure, Rudraprayag disaster management officer NS Singh said.
Delhi-NCR experiences unseasonal rain as rain in Kerala decreases
Kerala Floods: Waterlogging in Kottayam following heavy rains
Kerala Floods: Vice President extends condolences to bereaved familiesVice President M Venkaiah Naidu today condoled the loss of lives due to floods in Kerala and said that the state and the Central governments are doing their best to provide relief and succour to the affected people.
"Deeply distressed by the loss of lives due to floods in Kerala. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families & prayers for the safety of those affected by floods," he stated.
Delhi's Ghazipur market: Vendors continue business as usual despite extensive waterlogging
Delhi Rain: Delhi Sees Record Rain In 24 Hours, More Expected TodayDelhi and nearby cities saw water-logging in many parts after several hours of heavy rain overnight, slowing traffic movement this morning.
In a 24-hour period, Delhi's Safdarjung recorded the highest rain in a decade. Safdarjung recorded 85 mm and Palam 55 mm rain until 5:30 am today, while record is of 172.7 mm on October 1, 1954.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light intensity rain over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Baraut, Agra, Mathura, Hathras, Sonipat, Gannaur, Gohana, Sohana, Jhunjunu, Pilani till around 11:30 am today.
Kerala Floods: Total deaths climb to 23, as more bodies are recovered in Kottayam and Idukki23 people have now been confirmed dead in the Kerala flood, as two more bodies were recovered.
14 bodies were recovered in the Kottayam district, and nine found in Idukki during the search operation that continues to be underway in the severely flood- and landslide-affected state. Two people are still missing in Kottayam and Idukki.
As of now, there are no rain alerts for Kerala today and tomorrow.