22 people killed as heavy rains cause landslides, flood situation in Kerala: MHA

Landslides and flood situation owing to the incessant heavy rains in Kerala has claimed 22 people so far, the Home Ministry said on Thursday.

Of the total death toll, 11 people died in Idukki district, five in Malappuram district, three in Wayanad, two in Kannur and one in Kozhikode, according to a Home Ministry spokesperson.

The heavy rainfall started on Tuesday affecting several districts. 

ALSO READ: Heavy rains in Kerala; red alert sounded at Idamalayar dam

To assist the rescue and relief operations, the government has despatched four teams of the National Disaster Response Force, comprising 45 personnel each, to the state.

Army troops are being mobilised from Bengaluru to be deployed in affected areas and an Inter-Ministerial Central Team of the central government is also visiting flood-affected areas in Kerala.

ALSO READ: Trees cut, 33 heavily pruned without permission in Delhi’s NCERT area

The rains have also caused the Idukki dam to touch the 2,396.96 feet mark and has been opened after 26 years. Now, with water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water. 

The water level of Periyar river is expected to go up causing the Kozhikode’s Kakkayam dam to be opened, the Kerala State Electricity Board said.

"The increase in water level downstream due to this limited discharge is estimated to be contained within the river banks," it said in a release.

The authorities have also urged the people to remain calm and not panic if the water level rises above their normal expectancy.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted incessant rains for past two days and the Kerala government has said that it will provide relief to farmers whose crops have been destroyed due to the flood and rains.