Kerala flood situation worsens; toll rises to 37, more rains alert

Over 37 people have been reported killed in the flood-hit Kerala since August 8 and over 50,000 others shifted to relief camps, officials said. High alert if more rains has been sounded by the state government.

The Indian Meteorological Department issued a ‘Red alert’ for eight districts-Idukki, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kottayam, Alappuzha, cautioning people of a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places in Idukki, Wayanad, Kannur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram.

Out of 14 districts, 11 districts of Kerala are inundated by flood waters due to the incessant rains in the last three days.

Also Read | Kerala Crisis: Half of state reels under floods; 37 killed, 54,000 homeless 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who undertook an aerial survey of rain-ravaged areas, promised to provide compensation to all those affected by the rains.

Vijayan said that a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each would be granted to those who lost their homes and land due to the heavy rainfall and Rs four lakh to the nearest kin of the deceased.

On Saturday, two fishermen drowned after their boat capsized off Thiruvananthapuram coast, while in another incident, the bodies of a mother and daughter were found in a waterlogged area behind their house at Kuttanad in Alappuzha district.

Also Read | Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia

Four more bodies were recovered from other parts of the state, taking the toll to 37, sources said.

Torrential rains and landslides have ravaged farmlands and prompted massive evacuation efforts in Kerala.

A total of 35,874 people have been put up in 341 relief camps across Kerala, officials at the state Disaster Management control room told media.

Also Read | 10,510 people along Periyar river moved to relief camps

Crops on 1301 hectares (2547.66 acres) have been destroyed.

According to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, there was a possibility of flooding in low-lying coastal areas in Kerala, especially during high tide timings due to ‘Perigean spring tides’ from August 11-15.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake an aerial survey of some flood-hit areas and hold discussions with the Chief Minister in Kochi on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies)