Twenty nine people died due to heavy rain and landslides in Kerala. Downpour continued overnight in many parts of the state with the army, the navy, the air force and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working on evacuation and relief operations. A third red alert was issued for the Idukki water reservoir, the gates of which was opened yesterday after 26 years.
The weather office had warned of heavy rain today in several other districts. Schools and colleges are closed today in Idukki, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta districts.
Three shutters of on the dams of the Idukki reservoir have been opened after the water level crossed 2,400 feet. The teams of the NDRF are involved in the relief operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday and offered all possible assistance to those affected. Union Minister KJ Alphons, who is from Kerala, said this is the biggest spell of rain the state has witnessed in five decades."It is the biggest rain we had in 50 years," he was quoted by news agency ANI.
The United States consulate in Chennai issued a travel alert and advised the US citizens to avoid visiting areas affected by landslides and flash floods.
Here are the Highlights of the Kerala floods:
A Sea King helicopter was launched with additional divers and rescue equipment for Wayanad, earlier today. Despite heavy weather enroute, the crew managed to reach the designated drop point through alternate route and drop the personnel and rescue equipment . #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/UZzlCCD5Gw
- ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2018
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4 more NDRF teams airlifted today for rescue & relief operations in Kerala . Total 14 teams deployed. pic.twitter.com/ZwfzIgeHZc
- NDRF (@NDRFHQ) August 10, 2018
Graphic representation of Naval #SAR and #FloodRelief teams deployed during #OpMadad in Kerala post heavy rains and flash floods @DefenceMinIndia @IAF_MCC @adgpi @PMOIndia @SpokespersonMoD @CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/M9DamJk7Ju
- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 10, 2018
Defence rescue operations carried out in #Idukki. 29 people have been killed in Kerala, battered by rain and landslides.
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 10, 2018
Track LIVE updates here: https://t.co/90L6mlO80C pic.twitter.com/onCxEtEgbT
CM Pinarayi Vijayan visited the flood monitoring cell in State Secretariat and reviewed its functioning. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/v7fIer9HQB
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 10, 2018
All the five gates of one of the dams of the Idukki water reservoir in Kerala have been opened to control the swelling water which is nearing the full capacity because of the incessant rain.
- Most people from low lying areas of Idukki, in the banks of Periyar already evacuated, ahead of trial run
- Army try to work their way through the rubble in Munnar to get to the resort where tourists including foreigners are stranded
- Water should reach Ernakulam by late evening. These areas would be on flood alert
- Heavy rainfall continues in most parts of Kerala
- In Idukki - around 600 people have been evacuated in last one week from the banks of the water flow. Shops in that area have also been ordered to be shut
- Across Kerala - around 500 relief camps have been set up, around 15,695 people evacuated.
A quick reaction rescue team of 122 TA Battallion of Kannur has been carrying massive rescue operations. The undaunted selfless service of these soldiers of India is really commendable and we are highly proud of our brave hearts - "The Kannur Terriers"#keralarains #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/vdcwenFHDG
- Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) August 10, 2018
Considering the situation, CM has instructed to alert the people living in downstream areas with the help of announcements. He has also instructed to relocate people living in vulnerable areas.
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 10, 2018
Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan and discussed the prevailing flood situation in the state. I have assured all possible assistance from the Centre to the state government. The relief and rescue ops are going on. MHA is closely monitoring the flood situation.
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 10, 2018
More gates of the Idukki reservoir in Kerala were opened today because of incessant rain, which has taken 26 lives. The shutters of the Cheruthoni dam - which is one of the dams in the reservoir - were opened for the first time in 26 years yesterday, with the water levels in the reservoir dangerously close to full capacity."
A group of three to four people can be seen being swept away by running water amid loud screams from bystanders. Those caught in the stream struggle to hold their ground as they get carried by the water."
The hon'ble @PMOIndia Shri Narendra Modi had called CM Pinarayi Vijayan over phone & discussed about the situation. Prime Minister has offered assistance to the State. CM thanked PM for sending army for rescue efforts. @narendramodi
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 10, 2018
A ban has been imposed on the movement of heavy goods vehicles and tourist vehicles in the high ranges of Idukki. The decision was taken on account of unabated rains in the area.
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 10, 2018
Heavy rain continued overnight in many parts of Kerala with the army, the navy, the air force and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working on evacuation and relief operations. A third red alert was issued for the Idukki water reservoir, the gates of which was opened yesterday after 26 years. The weather office has warned of heavy rain today in several other districts."