Kerala Floods Latest Updates: The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to draw more water from the Mullaperiyar Dam, following neighbouring Kerala’s request and Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested Home Minister Rajnath Singh to send additional teams of Indian Army, NDRF and Army Engineering Corps to the state to help with the relief and rescue operations. In a tweet, Vijayan’s office said that a C-17 aircraft and more dinghy boats were also requested for transporting equipment to the affected areas. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan briefed the Kerala Governor about the losses suffered by the state due to the present heavy rains, floods, landslides and the rising water level in various dams and the relief and rescue measures being taken by the government. He informed Governor P Sathasivam that the state government was keeping close vigil on the situation and that the disaster management authority of the State was working in co-ordination with all other departments of the state and central forces such as Indian Army, navy, air force, coast guard and NDRF. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart, E Palaniswami seeking his intervention in lowering the water level in the Tamil Nadu-managed Mullaperiyar Dam. Currently, the water level in Mullaperiyar Dam has reached 142 feet. The Kerala chief minister asked that it should be lowered till at least 139 feet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, spoke to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the phone, asking about the flood situation in the state. Modi later tweeted about his interaction with Vijayan and said that the central government will provide all assistance needed to tackle the natural disaster. The Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has informed that the discharge of water from Idukki dam will be increased to 1500 cumecs at 5 pm. I was increased from 1300 cumecs at 3 pm to 1400 cumecs at 4 pm Unceasing heavy rains battered Kerala on Wednesday killing eight more people and taking the death toll to 47 since August 8, forcing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to seek generous public contributions to battle the worst floods in nearly a century. Of the 14 districts, as many as 11 including Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, Kannur and Ernakulam are on red alert, an official euphemism to mean that huge devastation was expected. The Cochin airport was shut till Saturday after flood waters entered the complex. Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts are on orange alert, asking the authorities and people to be prepared as there was a higher likelihood of bad weather. [caption id=“attachment_4971641” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] 11 of 14 Kerala districts are on red alert following heavy rainfall. Image Courtesy: Naveen Nair[/caption] Those reported dead on Wednesday included a couple in Malappuram who were crushed after their house crumbled. Their six-year-old child is missing. A person died in a Munnar lodge as it crashed. A 70-year-old woman near Pathanamthitta was electrocuted as her house was submerged. Landslides in Malappuram claimed lives too. In a first, sluice gates of 33 dams across Kerala have been opened, following incessant rains since late Tuesday. More rains have been forecast till Saturday. More and more people are pouring into relief camps, including those who had earlier returned to their homes in Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad districts. The capital district on Wednesday witnessed heavy rains, submerging several low lying areas. Officials hurriedly opened 14 relief camps. The famed tourist destination in Munnar has been closed for traffic, following flooding at the Old Munnar town. The Sabarimala temple has warned pilgrims not to reach the shrine in view of the surging river waters in the vicinity. Although special prayers were listed for Wednesday, the temple was closed to devotees as the river Pamba was in spate. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Vijayan took the Independence Day salute despite rains here and urged everyone to contribute generously to overcome the challenge of the floods and its destruction. The Idukki dam floodgates were reopened late on Tuesday as the water level in the Periyar river and its tributaries flowing through Ernakulam and Thrissur districts rose menacingly. The shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were opened at 2.35 a.m. after its water level crossed 140 feet. People living in and around the dam were evacuated late on Tuesday. The Cochin International Airport was on Wednesday closed till Saturday afternoon after water released from the Idukki dam flooded the area. Airport Director A.C.K. Nair called the development “unprecedented”. “Why we decided to take this step is because since last night dams like Idukki, Mullaperiyar, Idamalayar have opened their shutters. The water released reaches the Periyar river and one of its tributaries flows close to the airport and it is overflowing, sending the waters to our operational area,” said Nair. He pointed out that with more rains predicted in the coming days, it was decided to close down the airport operations. “Once the water recedes, it will take us 24 hours to clean up the area. Then only flights will resume. As of now we have decided to close down the airport till 2 p.m. of August 18,” said Nair. Cochin airport is one of the three international airports in the state, besides being the busiest. The heaviest rains and floods since 1924 have caused massive destruction. Over 50,000 people are in relief camps and the damage to crops and properties is estimated to be over Rs 8,000 crore.
Kerala floods updates: 11 deaths in Malappuram landslides take toll to 67; fresh rains ravage parts of state
The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to draw more water from the Mullaperiyar Dam, following neighbouring Kerala’s request and Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention
 "Kerala floods updates: 11 deaths in Malappuram landslides take toll to 67; fresh rains ravage parts of state")
25 killed in Kerala today with 11 deaths reported from Malappuram alone
According to latest reports, the toll in rain-related incidents since 8 August mounted to 67 with 25 deaths reported today, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Eleven deaths were reported from Malappuram alone, officials said.
Indian Navy deploys 21 teams for relief operations in Kerala
Indian Navy today said it has deployed 21 rescue and diving teams with inflatable ‘Gemini’ boats as the flood situation further worsened across Kerala on Wednesday due to the heavy rains.
“A total of four teams went out today to augment those already deployed. More than 81 people were rescued, many of whom were also provided food and shelter by setting up a rescue camp,” the Southern Naval Command said in a release. Overall, five naval teams with an equal number of Gemini boats have been deployed at different places in Wayanad district, it said.
Ramamurthy Mandapam in the foothills of Sabarimala submerged
According to The Hindu, at least 13 people were stranded on the first floor of the Annadana Mandapam at the badly flooded Pampa Manalpuram in the foothills of Sabarimala. The newspaper reported that the PC Ramamurthy Mandapam is completely inundated with the flood waters of the Pampa in spate. The also report said that four tractors also have been washed away by the strong currents.
Tamil Nadu agrees to draw more water from Mullaperiyar Dam after Centre’s intervention
The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to draw more water from the Mullaperiyar Dam, following neighbouring Kerala’s request and Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention.
Pinarayi Vijayan said that he had written to the Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami to decrease the water level to 139 feet as there is heavy downpour in the catchment areas of the dam. The decrease in the water level was important to prevent the situation of a sudden release of water in large volumes, which will result in widespread damage.
The Tamil Nadu government finally agreed to withdraw more water after Vijayan asked Centre to intervene and Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Tamil Nadu chief secretary.
Visuals from a water-logged Cochin Airport that shut operations till Saturday
#Visuals from Kochi airport that has been shut till August 18 due to incessant rains. #Keralafloods pic.twitter.com/xtXrAbovxg
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
Hundreds of people marooned in Pathanamthitta
The spate in the Pampa river has marooned hundreds of families in Pathanamthitta district. The Kerala government has requested Indian Airforce to airlift all the residents to safety from many places in Ranni and Kozhencherry towns in the district. Many people are forced to camp on their terraces even as water keeps rising
Several places in Pathanamthitta district, have no electricity which has made rescue operations very difficult.
Exams in Kerala schools cancelled due to unprecedented flood situation
The Kerala government has postponed Onam examinations scheduled to be held from 31 August in the schools following the heavy rains. Director of Public instructions said that the decision as many schools were being used as relief camps. He said that the revised schedule will be announced later. The Kerala government has already announced cancellation of the state Onam celebrations.
State transport buses completely submerged at Ranni in Pathanamthitta district
Image courtesy: Naveen Nair
More rainfall in catchment area of dam reservoirs
According to reports, more rainfall has been recorded in the catchment areas of Mullaperiyar dam reservoirs. This will mean higher water level in the dams, following which more water will have to be released downstream. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said: “There is heavy downpour in the catchment areas of the dam. To prevent the situation of a sudden release of water in large volumes, which will result in widespread damage, water levels must be lowered immediately.”
Pinarayi Vijayan asks Centre for additional teams of army**, NDRF; seeks navy’s help in** evacuation
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested Home Minister Rajnath Singh to send additional teams of Indian Army, NDRF and Army Engineering Corps to the state to help with the relief and rescue operations. In a tweet, Vijayan’s office said that a C-17 aircraft and more dinghy boats were also requested for transporting equipment to the affected areas.
CM has requested the Home Minister Shri @rajnathsingh to send additional teams of Army, NDRF and Army Engineering Corps to the State. A C-17 aircraft was also requested for transporting equipments to the affected areas. More dinghy boats are also needed.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 15, 2018
Kerala govt seeks Indian Navy’s assistance to carry out evacuation in Kuttanad
The government has sought the assistance of Indian Navy in the rescue operations in the Kuttanad region, many parts of which are below the sea level. The backwaters of Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad have been overflowing following the opening of the shutters of the dam in Pathanamthitta district. Forty members of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) are already in place in Kuttanad. The district collector has appealed to people living on the banks of rivers and backwaters to move to safer places.
Pinarayi Vijayan meets Governor P Sathasivam
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan briefed the Kerala Governor about the losses suffered by the state due to the present heavy rains, floods, landslides and the rising water level in various dams and the relief and rescue measures being taken by the government. He informed Governor P Sathasivam that the state government was keeping close vigil on the situation and that the disaster management authority of the State was working in co-ordination with all other departments of the state and central forces such as Indian Army, navy, air force, coast guard and NDRF.
IAS officer S Harikishore joins rescue ops while his own family puts up at relief camp
Senior IAS officer S Harikishore and his family are among thousands who have taken shelter in relief camps in Pathanamthitta district. Hari, who is the executive director of Kudumbashree, was evacuated after water entered his house in the district. After putting up his family members in the relief camp, he joined the officials engaged in the rescue and relief operations in the district. Earlier, former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president VM Sudheeran and his family were evacuated from their house at Gowreespattom in Thiruvananthapuram city.
Pinarayi Vijayan asks Tamil Nadu to lower water level in Mullaperiyar Dam to 139 feet
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged Tamil Nadu government to bring down the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam to 139 feet. He has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard. The chief minister has reportedly informed the minister that the continuing rain in the catchment areas of the dam would lead to further rise in the water level, which had touched the Supreme Court approved 142 feet in the morning.
Three fishermen go missing after vessel sinks off Kerala coast
Three fishermen from Vypin near Kochi went missing after a fishing boat carrying seven on board sank in rough seas off Alappuzha coast today, official sources
said.
A Defence spokesperson said a Naval helicopter, launched by the Southern Naval Command, has rescued four others who were on board the ill-fated vessel Anugraha.
Kerala techies launch portal to facilitate relief measures
The Kerala chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), an organization of professionals with the support of IT Mission, has launched a web portal called Keralarescue.in, to help coordinate the various rescue and relief operations being carried out by various NGOs, citizen initiatives, government agencies, army and navy, The Times of India reported. The website, available in English and Kannada, facilitates effective collaboration and communication between various government departments, voluntary organisations and public and also lets people raise a request for help.
Naredra Modi speaks to Pinarayi Viajayan over flood situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, spoke to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the phone, asking about the floood situation in the state. Modi later tweeted about his interaction with Vijayan and said that the central government will provide all assistance needed to tackle the natural disaster.
Had a detailed discussion with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the unfortunate flood situation in the state. Centre stands firmly with the people of Kerala and is ready to provide any assistance needed. @CMOKerala
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2018
Kerala tourism minister visits flood-hit areas of Trivandrum city
Kerala’s Minister for Tourism K Surendran, along with District Collector K Vasuki and city mayor VK Prasanth visited some of inundated residential areas in Trivandrum city on Wednesday.
IMD predicts more rainfall over next two days
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rains accompanied with gusty winds with speed reaching 60 kmph in all the 14 districts today. Red Alert has been issued in all the 14 districts of Kerala. IMD has also issued Red Alert for Idukki and Ernakulam districts on Thursday.
Four NDRF teams airlifted from Pune to carry out rescue ops in Kerala
Four teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been airlifted from Pune Airport to Kerala for rescue operations. They have full-wave rectified (FWR) equipment and communication equipment with them, ANI reported.
Rail traffic hit due to heavy rains, landslides
A landslide between Kuzhithurai and Eraniel stations has delayed four trains – Guruvayur-Chennai Egmore express, Kanyakumari-Mumbai CSMT express, Dibugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express and Gandhidham-Tirunelveli Humsafar Express, railway sources said.
A few passenger trains have been partially hit and rail traffic on Kollam-Punalur-Sengottai section has been suspended due to adverse weather conditions. On Thiruvananhtapuram-Thrissur section, trains will be delayed due to speed restrictions due to rise in water levels in rivers and lakes. The engineering department is continuously monitoring the safety of bridges, railways said.
Rail route between Punalur (Kerala)- Chengotai (Tamil Nadu) disrupted after landslide
Image courtesy: Naveen Nair
Death toll in rain-related incidents since 8 August rises to 54
The fresh bout of heavy rain has claimed 21 lives in various parts of Kerala. Seven members of a family who died after a mass of earth fell on their house at Peringavu in Malappuram district are among the dead. One person is feared to be trapped in the debris. Moreover, in the high-range Idukki district, an 85-year-old woman was killed in Elakkal and a 52-year-old woman died in Keerithode when mounds of earth fell on their homes.
A man from Tamil Nadu was killed last evening when earth fell on a hotel he was working in Munnar while six other employees were rescued. In a similar incident, a couple and their six-year-old son were killed when earth fell on their house at Kondotty in Malappuram district early on Wednesday. A fisherman was electrocuted in Thrissur after he came in contact with a live electric wire. With this, the death toll in the heavy rain since 8 August has risen to 54.
With inputs from TK Devasia
Water logging at Sreekanteswara Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Video by Naveen Nair
Schools, colleges closed in 8 districts tomorrow
The educational institutes will remain shut in the following eight districts tomorrow, owing to flooding and predictions of more rainfall: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Kottayam, Livemint reported.
In Ernakulam, the administration has declared holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, both on 16 and 17 August. Eleven of 14 districts in Kerala are on high alert.
Inputs by TK Devasia
Water flow from Idukki dam raised to 1,500 cumecs; Periyar river to swell further
The Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has informed that the discharge of water from Idukki dam will be increased to 1500 cumecs at 5 pm. I was increased from 1300 cumecs at 3 pm to 1400 cumecs at 4 pm. KSDMA has appealed to the people near the dam and those living on the banks of the Periyar river to remain cautious.
Top IAS officers in state asked to assist District Collectors, supervise disaster relief efforts
According to the latest government order, several top-ranking IAS officers have been asked to report on duty and assist the district collectors in managing the relief and rescue work.
Indian Army rescued 23 people stranded in Ernakulam
A column of Garhwal Regiment rescued 23 civilians from HIL colony in Eloor, Ernakulam. The column used ingenuity and modified tubes and utensils to rescue the women and children stranded in the area.
Nation First. #KeralaFloods have immense challenges. #IndianArmy columns are there to brave these challenges. Together we shall. We are at it. #KeralaFloodRelief #OpMadad pic.twitter.com/hhq9jxd6Ga
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 15, 2018
Priority to get safe drinking water to residents, says Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting earlier in the day, to monitor the flood situation in the state. He said, “We’re witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala. Almost all dams are opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged, motors are damaged. We’re keeping all this in mind but our priority is to get drinking water to the people,” Vijayan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Kerala battles ‘unprecedented’ flood situation, gates 35 of 39 dams opened for the first time
Sluice gates of 35 out of 39 dams have been opened for the first time in the history of the state. The opening of all the 13 shutters of the Mullapperiyar dam, maintained and operated by Tamil Nadu, has led to floods in several areas in the downstream including the densely populated Aluva town. The shutters were opened after the water-level crossed the Supreme Court-approved 142. Even after opening all the shutters the water level remained at the maximum storage capacity.
Kerala govt approaches Indian Navy to use Wellingdon naval airport
Following the suspension of operations in the Cochin International Airport till 2 pm on 2 August, the Kerala government has approached Navy to explore the possibility of using the naval airport at the Wellingdon Island for operating smaller aircraft. The government has also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to divert the Kochi-bound flights to Karipur airport at Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram airport instead of Mumbai and Bangalore airports. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has been asked to operate special services to take the passengers in the diverted flights to their respective destinations.
‘Celebrate Independence Day by helping flood-hit people,’ Pinarayi Vijayan appeals to citizen
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday urged people to contribute generously in the wake of the state’s worst flood disaster in 94 years even as he took the Independence Day salute in Trivandrum in pouring rain.
“We are celebrating this year’s Independence Day when the floods have ravaged the state. It is a disaster that has never been witnessed in the state. But if all of us join hands, we will be able to handle any disaster,” he said.
Vijayan urged people to contribute generously to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund. “Whatever the contribution, small or big, let us make this year’s Independence Day an occasion to help.”
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