Since over a week, Kerala has been battered by heavy rain and landslides. The state is witnessing its worst monsoon since over a century in terms of the impact. Kochi airport has suspended all its flight operations till Saturday because of increased water level in the airport area. "Kochi airport operations temporarily suspended till 18th Saturday 2 PM since the inflow of water is still on a raising trend. We are working hard to drain out the storm water. All are requested to co-operate," the airport authorities said in a statement.
Due to the devastating Kerala floods, Onam celebrations have been cancelled. 44 people have died and thousands have been relocated to relief camps. Union Home minister Rajnath Singh aerially surveyed flood-hit Kerala and later Centre announced a Rs 100 crore relief package for the state.
Here are the highlights on Kerala weather:
Kerala's Kochi Airport Closed Till Saturday, Runway FloodedKerala's Kochi Airport Closed Till Saturday, Runway FloodedKerala's Kochi Airport Closed Till Saturday, Runway Flooded | NDTV.com Video | Kerala's Kochi airport extended is suspension of all flight operations till Saturday afternoon following huge waterlogging around the airport. Flights are being diverted to other airports. The torrential rainfall, which has forced the state's reservoirs to release excess water causing flooding and landslides, was expected to stop today. But the Met office has said it is likely to continue till Saturday. A red alert has been issued for several districts today and tomorrow. Forty two people have died since August 8 in incidents related to what has turned out to be the state's worst monsoon in almost a century."
The Cochi Airport runway and the parking flooded. In addition, heavy rainfall affects train services with many being suspended and delayed.
In his address to the nation on the 72nd Independence Day at Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sympathized with the victims in the flood-hit state. He said," Many parts of the nation witnessed good monsoon but at the same time parts of India have been severely hit by floods. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in these floods, in various parts of India."
The operations of Kochi International Airport (COK) has been temporarily suspended till 18th Saturday 2 PM due to the heavy rains rains and resultant flooding. CIAL isworking hard to drain out the storm water. Emergency control room numbers: 0484 3053500, 2610094 #KeralaFloods
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 15, 2018
Kerala Rain: Kochi Airport Closed Till Saturday August 18 As Kerala Battles Heavy Rain: 10 FactsThe Kochi airport in Kerala suspended all flight operations till Saturday afternoon an increase in the water level near the airport following continuous rain and the opening of the gates of the dams in the Idukki water reservoir system. Flights are being diverted to other airports.
