Kerala Flood: The Navy deployed many rescue and diving teams with boats in flood-hit Kerala. (File)
Highlights
- Kochi metro suspended its services from Thursday morning
- PM Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan again
- Many stranded people were air-lifted from flooded areas
Thirty people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala today despite hectic rescue work by armed forces and the NDRF and private groups in the state that's is grappling with the worst monsoon in a century. In the last 24 hours, the state received 10 times the normal rainfall. There is no relief before Saturday, the met office said. As huge swathes of the state became submerged, the Army and Navy pushed in extra troops and the Air Force extra aircraft. Since August 8, 94 people died in the state. PM Modi will visit the state today.
Here are the 10 updates on Kerala flood and rain:
The met office has predicted heavy rainfall till Saturday. Thirteen of the 14 districts in Kerala are on red alert - the exception is Kasaragode. Idukki is the worst affected.
PM Modi will go to Kochi today after attending the funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The next morning, he would undertake an aerial survey of the state, said Union Minister K J Alphons. Following massive flooding of the runway, Kochi airport, the busiest in the state, has been shut till Saturday.
"Very serious situation is prevailing in the state as nearly all villages are flood affected. I had a telephonic conversation with PM Modi, the Home Minister and Defence minister, they have offered all support. More helicopters will be deployed soon," said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Telecom operators have announced free call and data services, extension in bill payment dates and other relief measures for seven days for customers for users in Kerala.
Battling savage weather conditions, the armed forces began airlifting marooned people in Trichur, Aluva and Muvattupuzha. Dramatic videos showed people stranded atop flooded homes and hills, being winched up by choppers.
Following instructions by PM Modi, the Defence Ministry rushed in fresh teams of the three wings of military for relief and rescue operations . Another 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been deployed.
This morning, PM Modi tweeted: "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala."
An alert has been issued from the Chief Minister's office which warned that the water-level in both Periyar and Chalakudy rivers will rise. "People in 1km radius of Chalakudy, and those inside ½ km of radius of Aluva, must evacuate the place immediately," a tweet from the official handle of the CMO said.
Many parts of Kochi have been flooded. Aluva is one of the worst-affected areas.Fresh landslides were reported from southern Kerala's Idukki and the northern districts of Malappuram and Kannur. Public transport system collapsed in many parts of central Kerala. Kochi Metro suspended services after the metro yard got flooded. Bus services to Kochi were affected after parts of national highways submerged. Train services have taken a huge hit.
Popular tourist destinations like Munnar and Ponmudi are almost cut-off because of bad roads due to landslides. Except for official vehicles, no other vehicles are allowed to enter Munnar. People have also been asked not to visit the Sabarimala hill shrine as the water level in the rain-fed Pampa river is high.
(With inputs from IANS)
Ketto, one of India's biggest crowdfunding sites, has launched a campaign for the affected. Please click here for details on how you can help.
Note: This information has been provided/published on a good faith basis, without any commercial motive. NDTV does not vouch for the authenticity of the claims made by the intending donee, nor can we guarantee that the donations made by a donor will be used for the purpose as stated by the intending donee. You are requested to independently verify the contact information and other details before making a donation. NDTV and/or its employees will not be responsible for the same.
Post a comment