Kerala Floods: 23 dead; PM Modi speaks to CM Vijayan

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16, 2021: Several people have been injured and displaced while 23 have died as heavy rains pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts of the state. Fourteen deaths were reported in Kottayam’s Koottickal and eight deaths were reported in Idukki. A child has drowned in Kozhikode district.

A red alert has been issued for dams Kaki in Pathanamthitta district, Sholayar in Thrissur district, Peringalkuthu, Kundala, Kallarkutty, Mattupetty and Kallar in Idukki district. A blue alert has been issued for Ponmudi dam, Idukki dam in Idukki district and Pampa in Pathanamthitta.

The Indian Army and Air Force are assisting civilian agencies is rescuing people in Koottickal and Kokkayar panchayats where over a dozen people are missing after landslides. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting of his advisors to intensify rescue and said that all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in areas flooded, including Kottayam, NDTV reported.

"Spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who chaired a review meeting in the evening, described the situation as grave and promised all-out efforts to rescue people stranded in cut-off locations. Indications are that the weather situation will not worsen, Mr. Vijayan said.

Higher education institutions which were slated to function from Monday will reopen only on Wednesday, in view of the rainfall situation, it was decided at the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. The Sabarimala pilgrimage will be avoided till Tuesday, in view of the forecast that the rain will continue till then.