A massive landslide killed eight people in Palakkad district of Kerala on Thursday even as there was no let-up in the torrential rains in the state where additional defence teams have been rushed to scale up rescue and relief operations.
With this, the death toll in the second spell of monsoon fury since August 8 has risen to 75.
A red alert has been sounded in 12 of the 14 districts.
Rise in flood waters in Periyar river due to continuous rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, have severely hit life of people in the downstream areas.
► Kerala flood situation grave, says SC
The Supreme Court today termed as 'grave' the flood situation in Kerala and agreed to hear a plea seeking Centre's mediation between Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments on the issue of the Mullaperiyar Dam crossing the 142 ft threshold.
► 12 more NDRF teams sent
Twelve fresh teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed by the Centre today to rain-battered Kerala. Six teams each are being airlifted from Delhi and Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and they will be dropped at Thiruvananthapuram today, a force spokesperson said.
► PM Modi discusses flood situation with Kerala CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan to discuss flood situation in the state. He also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state.
"Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala," he tweeted.
Yesterday evening, Modi had told Vijayan that the Centre stood firmly behind Kerala and was ready to provide any assistance.
Operations at the Kochi airport have been suspended till August 18
► Flights were being diverted to various airports.
► Airlines including IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have announced suspension of their operations to Kochi. "All flights to/fro Kochi, stand cancelled till Aug 16, 2018 due to runway unavailability owing to flood situation.
► For cancellations/rescheduling, please visit bit.ly/2ndGnZ8 We hope everything gets normal soon," IndiGo said in a tweet.
► Air India tweeted, "In view of suspension of operations at @KochiAirport, penalties on no-show, date/flight change or cancellations on all confirmed tickets to and from Cochin are waived off. Pax may contact #airindia call centre or #airindia website."
► Trains delayed
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.
► Tourist hill stations including Athirappally, Ponmudi and Munnar closed and restrictions put in place for tourists.
► Periyar, Chalakkidy Puzha and Pampa rivers were overflowing in central Kerala, while the water level in Killiyar, Karamanayar, Vamanapuram rivers and Parvathyputhanar canal in Thiruvananthapuram district are steadily rising.
► Southern Railways, Kochi Metro suspend operations
The public transport system collapsed in many parts of central Kerala with the Southern Railways and Kochi Metro today suspending their operations due to floods.
► Deeply concerned, says Rahul Gandhi. Urges to donate
► NDRF teams helping the people in Kerala
► 21 Navy teams engaged in relief operations
Indian Navy said it has deployed 21 rescue and diving teams with inflatable 'Gemini' boats.
"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.
► Helpline numbers
Tahsildar Kozhencherry
0468-2222221, 9447712221
Tahsildar Mallappally
0469-2682293, 9447014293
Tahsildar Ranni
04735-227442, 9447049214
Tahsildar Thiruvalla
0469-2601303, 9447059203
Tahsildar Konni
0468-2240087, 8547618430
This is the list of people you can contact if you are unable to reach the regular helplines:
For those living in Kochi: Ranjith +91 9037210585, Alby +91 9847812781, Shion +919656880212, Anil +919961937355, Nikhil +91 96457 62276
Kadavathra, Thriponithara, Glinter +9181294 84249;
For those living in Kothamangalam/Thodupuzha /muvattupuzha: Alan Abraham +919846798697, Athul +919946642248, Alan Geever +918129492926;
For Kottayam/Idukki: Tino +919995000029, Mathai +919946442124, Tisson+9197449 97693, Robin +91 99616 53384
(With agency inputs)
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