Heavy rains continue to lash Kerala; death toll reaches 57, over one lakh in relief camps

1.80 landslides reported in Kerala

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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all arrangements have been done to conduct rescue operations, adding that as many as 80 landslides have taken place in various parts of the state.

 

"Accidents have happened in unexpected areas.... 80 landslides in various parts of the state. Malappuram, Kavalappara, Bhoothalam Colony and Puthumala in Wayanad are worst affected," Vijayan said during a press conference.

2.Death toll reaches 57

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57 people have been reported dead across the state, with 19 deaths reported from Malappuram district alone.

 

"Police, armed forces, fishermen and volunteers are engaging in rescue operations... This gives us confidence to overcome this situation," Vijayan said.

 

He also shared that 1,08,138 persons from 29,997 families are in camps. He added that three bodies have been recovered from Kavalappara today.

 

200 families were stuck at Vaniyampuzha and Munderi due to lack of road accessibility.

 

Vijayan also said shutters of Banasura Sagar will be opened today so that the water level of Karaman river will rise.

 

"People should be careful. Many people have been shifted... The water level of Pamba river is rising. People are evaluated from there," he said.

 

The Chief Minister also stated that strict action will be taken against those who are sending fake messages.

 

"Some people spreading news that all dams are going to be opened. Another one is that petrol pumps will be closed. We should take it seriously," he said."In our state, there is no fuel crisis. We have enough stock. We are facing a serious disaster and we can face it together," he said.

 

The Health Department is arranging doctors in camps, Vijayan noted.

 

"From today, 3 days are public holidays. But necessary offices will stay open, staff members are available. Getting all help from the union government to conduct rescue operations," he added. 

3.Army personnel rescue newborn baby in Wayanad

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Army personnel on Saturday morning rescued a newborn baby here, while the state continues to grapple with the disastrous effect of torrential rains and relentless floods.

 

The rescue operation teams were seen evacuating senior citizens, women, children, and others by carrying them either on their shoulders or palanquins while they strive hard to wade through the debris of landslides and flood water.

4.Navy, IAF, Army undertake rescue operation

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As many as 24 relief camps have started functioning in the state, while over eight Engineer Task Forces (ETFs) have been deployed in various districts like Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kozhikode.

 

Besides, in coordination with Navy and Air Force, Army has intensified the relief and rescue operations by deploying a total of 123 rescue teams in 16 flood-affected districts spreading across four affected states -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

 

According to Army, a total of around 6,000 persons have been rescued and more than 15,000 have been evacuated from the flood affected states till now. Moreover, food and medical aids have been provided to the victims.

 

As on Friday, 33 relief teams and 31 ETFs were providing flood relief in Bagalkot, Raichur, Belgaum, Kalburgi and Kodagu districts of Karnataka, while a total of nine relief teams and 12 ETFs were provided to assist the people of Sirol and Sangli in Maharashtra.

 

Around six relief teams have also been deployed in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. 

5.Pregnant woman rescued in flood-hit Palakkad

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6.IMD issues Red alert for 8 districts in Kerala

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The India Meteorological Dept (IMD) on Saturday issued Red and Orange alerts for eight and six districts, respectively, in Kerala.

 

Red alert has been issued for Ernakulam, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasargod districts, while the Orange alert is for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur districts. 

 

The weather body has also announced Red alert warning for three districts - Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod - for August 11 while Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode have been put on Orange alert.

 

Earlier, fishermen from the state had been advised not to venture into the sea as strong winds from the westerly direction, with speed reaching 45-55 kmph were likely along and off the Kerala coast.

 

High waves in the range of 3-4 metres were also expected till midnight of August 11 along the coast of Kerala from Pozhiyoor to Kasargod.

 

(With ANI inputs)

7.Kerala rains: District-wise death toll

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