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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the situation is serious.
On Saturday, torrential rains in southern and central Kerala hit southern and central Kerala, causing flash floods and landslides in many areas, killing at least 6 people and missing 12 people, prompting the state government to seek assistance from defense forces Conduct rescue operations.
In the southern state, dams in many areas are close to full capacity, small towns and villages in hilly areas are completely isolated from the outside world, and several people were injured and displaced in rainfall-related incidents.
Many hilly areas in Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta are experiencing conditions almost similar to those faced by the state during the devastating floods in 2018 and 2019, but the authorities say everything is under control and there is no need to panic.
However, due to flooding and severe weather conditions, state police and fire brigade rescue teams were unable to reach the affected areas.
“The situation is serious,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, he said that the latest weather forecast shows that the situation will not get worse.
Officials said that army, air force and navy personnel were on their way to Koottickal and Peruwantanan-the two hilly villages belonged to the Kottayam and Idukki regions respectively-where a flooded river swept through houses, displaced and isolated. many people.
VN Vasavan, the Minister of National Cooperation who arrived near the villages that were hit by these landslides, said that during the search, the bodies of two women and a dead child were found to recover the body of a man who was also killed in the incident.
He said that at least 12 people in these villages are missing.
Police claimed that in another rain-related incident, a man and a woman (both 30 years old) were killed in Kanjar in the Idukki district when their car was washed away by a flood. They said that their bodies have been found.
According to a defense spokesperson, the Mi-17 and Sarang helicopters are already in standby mode to meet the requirements, but due to the still bad weather in Kottayam, they cannot start operations. She said that Air Force assets are still on standby in Suluer.
The spokesperson said in a statement: “In view of the prevailing weather conditions in Kerala, all bases under the Southern Air Force Command are on high alert.”
“The Indian army has deployed troops to the flood-affected areas. A column consisting of an officer, 2 JCO and 30 other army personnel has been transferred from Pangode Military Station to Kanjirappally in Kottayam District…, “she says.
The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy stated that it is ready to assist the local government in rescue operations.
It said in a tweet: “The diving and rescue team is ready to deploy in a short time. Once the weather is conducive to aerial operations, the standby helicopter will be activated.”
Earlier, the Minister of Cooperation and Registration VN Vasavan said that at least three houses in Kottayam district had been washed away and some people were worried that they would disappear.
“At least four landslide reports have come from various places in the Kottayam district. We have sought the help of the Air Force to rescue people trapped in the Koottickal area. We have received information that some people are missing, and more than 60 people are waiting for rescue. Because water entered their home, ¼” the minister told PTI.
According to the latest news from the Indian Meteorological Department, the “red alert” has been sounded in six regions-Patanantita, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Iduki, Trisur and Pala Card area.
Due to heavy rains since Friday night, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are currently the most affected areas.
Images from various places in Kottayam district appeared on social media, including a KSRTC bus caught in a flood and locals rescued passengers from it.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presided over a high-level meeting that night to review the rain and decided to strengthen rescue operations in all disaster-stricken areas.
The Chief Minister said in a statement that all government agencies have been instructed to take the necessary measures to rescue people from disaster-stricken areas and evacuate people living in areas prone to landslides and floods. Vijayan also instructed regional collectors to open relief camps to resettle the affected people.
He said that the operation of the camp should strictly abide by the Covid-19 agreement.
After warning that the rain will continue until October 19, the meeting also decided to not allow pilgrims to hike to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in the dense forest of Pathanamthitta district before October 18. The temple opened as’Thula masam’ poojas at 5pm today.
The statement stated that higher education institutions originally scheduled to open on October 18 will open on October 20.
CM called on the people of the state to be vigilant for the next 24 hours and stated in a Facebook post that the rains in the southern and central regions have hit, and the rains in the northern regions will also intensify in the evening. Weather forecast.
He said that the water level of some rivers is expected to rise and the shutters of some dams may open, adding that people living in their catchment areas should be prepared to follow the instructions of the authorities.
CM also stated that red warnings have been issued for dams under KSEB, including Kakki Dam in Pathanamthitta, Sholayar in Thrissur, Kundala and Kallarkutti in Idukki.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, in Chempakamangalam in the capital region, part of the wall of their house collapsed in constant rain. The two children miraculously escaped. Since last night, rain has been hitting cities and rural areas.
Family sources said the wall collapsed on the bed and the children slept there, but they escaped with minor injuries.
In view of the heavy rain in Thiruvananthapuram, the government authorities advised people not to go to tourist attractions and close to rivers and other water bodies.
According to reports, roads in many places including the Kollam and Kottayam areas were damaged, and severe waterlogging has made life miserable in the Kuttanad area. The Kuttanad area in Alappuzha and Kottayam areas is commonly referred to as the state’s “rice bowl”. “.
The Trisul region government urges people living in low-lying areas and other vulnerable areas and river banks to move to safer places.
They added that fishing boats are prohibited from going to sea.
The Chulliyar Dam in Palakkad and the Peechi Dam in Thrissur also issued red alerts.
Tax Minister K Rajan stated that necessary precautions have been taken.
“We have asked regional collectors to warn people living on the banks of the river,” Rajan said.
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