Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, have severely affected lives of people in downstream areas.
With the death toll rising to 97 in flood-hit Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kerala today and undertake an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas on Saturday. The Indian Meteorological Department (MeT) on Thursday indicated a slight reduction in rain intensity over Kerala in the next 48 hours. In districts like Kozhikode, the situation is improving, however, central Kerala is still in bad shape. On Thursday, torrential rain and floods claimed 30 lives, swamping homes, destroying roads, and disrupting air and rail traffic in many places, officials said. The Railway Recruitment Board postponed exams scheduled for today in the state taking note of the flood situation.
Battling inclement weather conditions, the Indian navy began airlifting marooned people in Trichur, Aluva and Muvattupuzha. Dramatic videos showed people stranded atop flooded homes and hills being winched up by Navy choppers.
A step-by-step guide on how you can donate to the CM’s relief fund
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi again, seeking more aid considering the situation. He also sought additional Army personnel and helicopters. For the first time in history, the state has opened 35 of its 39 dams. Meanwhile, operations at the Cochin International Airport have been suspended till August 26 due to flooding in and around the airport. A red alert has been issued in all the 14 districts of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in the state Friday night after attending the last rites of late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will visit the flood-affected areas on Saturday.
Supreme Court to hear Kerala flood plea before noon today.
The Supreme Court said it will consider Kerala floods matter before noon as the court has declared a half-day holiday after 1 pm. On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed the sub-committee constituted under section 9 of Disaster Management Act to meet with representatives of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to chalk out ways to reduce the water level in Mullaperiyar dam to 139 feet.
16 teams of Army, 13 teams of Navy, 10 teams of Air Force and 39 teams of NDRF engaged in rescue ops
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought more central forces to assist the state government in the rescue operations. According to him, 16 teams of Army, 13 teams of Navy, 10 teams of Air Force and 39 teams of NDRF are now engaged in the operations. The NDRF has so far rescued 4,000 people and Navy 550.