Highlights:
- Kottayam and Idukki witness incessant rains, flooding, heavy landslide, loss of lives and severe property damage
- Death toll rises to 35
- IMD issues Yellow alert from Oct 20-22.
Intensification of low pressure areas in the southeastern Arabian sea gave way to a severe depression on Friday resulting in heavy rains and huge tidal waves in and around low lying coastal regions of Kerela. Massive tidal flooding had been anticipated and the IMD had issued warnings post which authorities began evacuation operations of people residing in the low-lying coastal regions of the state. The state was battered with relentless rains since Friday and a yellow alert has been issued in the majority of parts of the state from Oct 20th to 22nd.
The country witnessed the largest flood in 2018 and since then, every year torrential rains have hit Kerela inducing flash floods. According to reports, at least 35 people have been killed and atleast 12 people have been reported missing in the landslide affected regions of Idukki and Kottayam. A yellow alert has been issued in 8 out of 14 districts in the state.
Kerela CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, held a high-level meeting to magnify the rescue operations and assured that all possible efforts shall be made to evacuate those stranded in the flooded regions of the state, including Kottayam. Adhering to the request made the State Government, Army, Air force and Navy has stepped in to cater to the civil administration and take control over the situation. 11 teams have been deployed by the National Disaster Response Force. A total of 33 people consisting of 8 women and 7 children have been rescued as of now.
The Kottayam district has been witnessing incessant rains, since early Friday, causing loss of lives and heavy property damage. The first rescue team deployed in the region comprised of 40 Indian Army employees from Pangode Military Station. Search operations continue for the ones who continue to remain missing. Minister for Industries, Law and Coir in the Government of Kerala issued a statement saying that the district Ernakulam is prepared to deal with every emergency that might emerge, following the release of water from the Idukki Dam. He also said that measures are being adopted to obstruct the water of Idukki and Idamalayar dams from flowing into Periyar.
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MLA of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Idukki, Roshy Augustine, informed that the shutters of Idukki dam will be opened on Tuesday to release water. An orange alert has been issued for the dam since Sunday. With the apprehension of additional rains in the district, the KSEB and state government opted to open it to release some water.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, visited the worst-hit areas of Idukki and Kottayam on Sunday and questioned the failure of the state government to act, inspite of early warnings issued by the IMD. “We are told it took several hours for the team of the government officials to reach certain spots with men and material to do the rescue act. Something has gone wrong and we want answers,” he said. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan backed the State Government saying that appropriate actions had been taken on the basis of the reports issued by the Centre and the reports released earlier. The Dam Safety Authority of the state has issued an orange alert for the Idukki dam, blue for Idamalayar reservoir in Ernakulam district and red for Kakki reservoir in the Pathanamthitta district.
