Kerala Rain Fury: 18 Killed & Several Missing, Forces Called In To Tackle Situation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting to intensify the rescue efforts and said all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in areas flooded due to heavy rains

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New Delhi: Kerala continues to receive heavy rainfall causing loss of lives and several people are reportedly missing due to flash floods and landslides in several parts of the state since Friday. As of now 18 people have lost lives due to rain-related incidents in the state, according to the Hindustan Times report.

Here are major updates related to rain situation in southern state

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday held a high-level meeting to intensify the rescue efforts and said that all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in areas flooded due to heavy rains in the state, including Kottayam, according to the report.

Vijayan also informed there is a possibility of rising water levels in rivers and overflowing in some dams and mentioned there would be a high alert for the next 24 hours. The state has called in the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy to assist the local administrations to with operations.

The government agencies been directed to take necessary steps to rescue people from the affected regions and evacuate those living in areas prone to landslides and floods. NDRF team has conducted rescue operation in Kokkayar, Idukki where landslide occurred on Saturday, according to news agency ANI.

Although the rains subsided a bit in central Kerala, the personnel from the Army have started relief operations in Kottayam, where 15 people are reportedly missing, as per the HT report. Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and the Idukki districts have reported maximum damage due to rainfall.

IMD predicted rain or thundershowers in Thiruvananthapuram till 20th October.

The state is receiving torrential rains as a low-pressure area formed in the Arabian Sea. The India Meteorological Department has issued red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts.

While orange alert has been declared in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts and yellow alert in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. The weather agency has warned of possible thundershowers and strong winds throughout Kerala in the coming days.