Heavy rains continue to lash Kerala, causing serious damage to human lives and property, and bringing life to a grinding halt. 20 people have lost their lives due to the rains in the last 24 hours, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 

The districts of Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kollam and Malappuram have been receiving continuous rain since Wednesday.

All the educational institutions in these districts are now shut, based on directions announced by the district collectors. 

In various areas, especially in the hilly regions of Wayanad and Idukki, landslides and floods have been reported, leading to loss of life and causing houses to crumble.

Following this, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday called for an emergency press meet in Thiruvananthapuram where he said that the situation is highly alarming, and that they were taking measures to mitigate the situation.

The shutters of 23 dams in the state have already been opened. “I don’t think this has ever happened in the state,” the CM said.

Acknowledging that unprecedented rains had caused severe damage in several districts of Kerala, the CM said that the gates Idukki and Kakki dams may also be opened if the situation persists. Shortly after the press meeting, the sluice gates of Idukki dam were opened for a trial run after 26 years.

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