The rainfall in Kerala and the consequent floods have triggered landslides which have cut off access to many places. Armed Forces personnel, NDRF and state police and fire service personnel are on the ground, carrying out rescue operations across the state. A video has now surfaced from Wayanad showing the challenges on the grounds and the risks involved in carrying out operations.

In the video, three police personnel wearing raincoats are seen standing in nearly waist-deep water of a stream. As gushing waters swirl past them, they cling on to a rope tied to a tree on either side of the bank, so as not to be carried away by the force of the waters. Braving the elements, they pass green bags of goods from one person to another.

The bags reportedly contain food supplies for the personnel stationed at a wireless response centre in Wayanad. Wireless response centres are important for coordination between rescue forces during disaster. A team of personnel stays in the response centre for a week at a stretch and the food supplies help them survive for the week.

Kerala has been receiving unprecedented rainfall in the past few days resulting in the opening of 33 dams across the state. This has caused deluge in low-lying areas and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. The state government has opened hundreds of relief camps in Kerala and are monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, the rain and flood situation in Kerala worsened on Wednesday, with the red alert issued in 12 districts being extended to all 14 districts of the state. Very heavy rains have been predicted on Wednesday by the Regional Meteorological Centre and the Kochi International Airport has been closed for traffic till Saturday.