Even as the scars of last year’s floods in Kerala are yet to fade away, the state is witnessing flooding in several districts. Many arterial roads were under water with boats being deployed for relief and rescue. As of Thursday, more than 30 relief camps were opened across the state. A red warning has been issued in Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala after the state began receiving heavy rains on Thursday, August 8.
Two rain related deaths have been reported in the state on Thursday. In the Attapadi region of Palakkad, a tree fell on the roof of a house, killing Kara (50) of Chundakulam village.
The other casualty was reported from Panamaram in Wayanad where a 24-year-old woman named Muthu collapsed while being rescued from her house, which was inundated by the flood water. In Wayanad, 20 houses of the Kunjammed colony were isolated due to heavy rains.
In Idukki too, heavy rains and landslides were recorded in several parts of the district.
Heavy rains have flooded Munnar town and the temporary Periayavara Bridge which connected in Munnar- Udumalpet route was washed away, leading to traffic disruptions on this route. Over the last 24 hours, Munnar received 21.14 mm of rains. Water inundated parts of the town including in Ekka Nagar, Payas Nagar and old Munnar and over 50 families were shifted to relief camps in the area.
Landslides and landslips have been reported in various parts of the district. Serial landslips were witnessed in the famous Gap road area of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National highway in Munnar.
Landslides were also reported in the Kottattarakkara-Dindigual National highway route and traffic disruptions were caused in Kottayam-Kumily route.
Rainfalls recorded in the taluks in the area over the last 24 hours were: Peermade -176 mm, Udumbanchola - 62mm, Devikulam -194.8 mm, Thodupuzha - 78.7 mm and Idukki -85.40mm
In Kannur, the Valapattanam river overflowed, resulting in atleast 15 houses built on its banks being inundated. The famiies were shifted to nearby relief camps on Thursday.
Dams opened
So far, three dams, mainly the Pambla, Kallarkutty and Malankara dams were opened. Due to heavy rains on Thursday, all the 6 shutters of the Malankara dam were opened.
Thirteen out of the 15 shutters of the Boothathankettu dam in Kothamangalam, Ernakulam have been opened.
As on Thursday, the water level in the Idukki dam is at 2,321.26 feet (the maximum level is 2,403 feet) and Mullaperiyar is at 116 feet (the maximum level is 160 feet).
Around 236 people in Kozhikode have been shifted to the six relief camps opened in the district.
Kozhikode district collector Sambasiva Rao, has also issued directions to stop the functioning of all quarries in the district.
A Red warning has been issued in the district and roads have been blocked in various parts of the district as trees were uprooted due to strong winds. Electricity has been cut off in several parts in the district as lines were broken due to uprooted trees.
In Thrissur, highest rainfall was recorded in Thalappally taluk on Thursday which received 48.8 mm. In Mukandapuram and Kodungallur, rainfall was recorded at 31.2 and 35 mm respectively.
In Chalakudy, strong winds resulting in a tree falling and completely damaging one house. Three residents of the house, belonging to Mukkaparambil George were shifted to the government hospital after sustaining injuries.
To prepare the state for heavy rains, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation.
(With inputs from Sandeep Vellaram)