Kerala Rains: Death Toll In Idukki Landslide Rises To 15, Several Missing; PM Announces Ex-Gratia Of Rs 2 Lakh

Heavy rains have caused a landslide in Idukki Kerala killing at least 15 people. The IMD has issued Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall for 3 districts.

9Image: Twitter/ @KeralaGovernor)

New Delhi: At least fifteen people have died and several are feared trapped in a landslide in Rajamala, Idukki district after heavy rains battered several parts of Kerala on Friday. The landslide occurred in residential parts of the area and so far 10 people have been rescued. “A landslide occurred in Rajamala today. So far, 10 people have been rescued. The landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside. We don't know the exact numbers yet, but at least three families are stranded there,” said Superintendent of Idukki SP in a report by ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief at the loss of lives in landslide and has also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai. PM also said that Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the landslide.

Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the landslide.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 7, 2020

The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been deployed to rescue the victims. “National Disaster Response Force has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Idukki's Rajamala. Police, fire, forest and revenue officials also instructed to intensify rescue operation,” said Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan lauded the dedication of rescue teams at Rajamala, Idukki, where landslide claimed 14 lives and rendered many people missing.

Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan lauded the dedication of Rescue teams at Rajamala,#Idukki,where landslide claimed 14 lives &rendered many people missing. NDRF,Police,Fire Force,Forest,Revenue depts&local people are working hard to save lives',he said:PRO,KeralaRajBhavan

— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) August 7, 2020

The state health ministry has said that medical teams from Ernakulam and Kottayam districts have been deployed in the district and 15 ambulances have been sent to the incident site. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a Red alert for extremely heavy rainfall for Idukki, Malappuram, and Wayanad till 11 August.

#Kerala Red alert for extremely heavy rainfall warning issued for Idukki, Malappuram and Wayanad till 11 August. pic.twitter.com/ZJybEcLLdI

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020

Karnataka- Heavy rains are also causing flood-like situations in different parts of Karnataka as water levels of the Cauvery river increased. "River Cauvery at Napoklu in Kodagu district, Karnataka is rising but slowly and is within 0.6 m of its highest flood level. Rainfall is continuing in Bhagamandala and its surrounding areas. There is no immediate respite of falling levels," said the Central Water Commission (CWC). Landslides have also been reported from Chikmagalur district affecting vehicular movements in several parts of the district. On Thursday Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced Rs 50 crore relief package amid the coronavirus pandemic.