UPDATE: The Cochin International Airport resumed full operations from 3.05 pm on Thursday.
Following heavy downpour and flood in Ernakulam district, Cochin International Airport Ltd authorities have decided to shut down arrival operations in the airport from 1.10 pm on Thursday. This is a precautionary measure following the overflowing water from Chengal canal, near the airport, which is connected to the Periyar river.
“As a measure of precaution, we are stopping Arrival Operation from 1:10 PM today. Please cooperate,” a press release from CIAL said.
Sources in the airport also stated that departure operations too may be suspended by 4 pm on Thursday.
Train services are also hit. All details of the trains cancelled so far:
To facilitate traffic block for bridge modification works at Melappalayam station in Tirunelveli district, the services of both Train No. 22627 Tiruchchirapalli-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity express and Train No 22628 Thiruvananthapuram-Tiruchchirappalli Intercity express stands partially cancelled between Tirunelveli Jn and Thiruvananthapuram central on 12th and 19th August 2018 (Sundays).
Due to the above, On 12.08.18 and 19.08.18, Train No 22627 Tiruchchirappalli -Thiruvananthapuram Intercity express leaving Tiruchchirappalli Jn at 07:05 hrs will be short terminated at Tirunelveli Jn and subsequently, this rake will operate towards Tiruchchirappalli Jn at the scheduled timings of Train No 22628 Thiruvananthapuram central-Tiruchchirapalli Jn
The following trains will be regulated at Tiruchchirappalli division due to traffic block for Engineering works at Villupuram-Tiruchchirappalli chord line section.
On 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th and 27th August 2018, Train No.16127 Chennai Egmore – Guruvayur express will be delayed by 55 minutes at Tiruchchirappalli-Madurai section.
On 12th, 19th and 26th August 2018, Train No.16351 Mumbai CSMT–Nagorcoil Jn. Balaji express will be delayed by 55 minutes at Tiruchchirappalli-Madurai section.
Due to heavy rains, educational institutions have declared a holiday in Idukki, Kollam and some other districts.
On Thursday, for the first time in 26 years, Idukki dam shutters were opened for a trial run due to the heavy rains.
The Chief Minister announced in an emergency press meeting that 20 people have died due to heavy rains. The rains have left six dead in Malappuram, two in Kozhikode, 11 in Idukki, and another two in Wayanad.
Twenty-three dams in the state, including the Idukki dam, have been opened after the heavy downpour. The CM took stock of the situation in the state and talked about the measures the centre and the state government were taking to deal with the crisis and listed precautionary measures that are to be taken by the people.
District control room numbers:
Thiruvananthapuram - 0471 2730045
Kollam - 0474 2794002
Pathanamthitta - 0468 2322515
Alappuzha - 04772 238630
Kottayam - 0481 2562201
Idukki - 04862 233111
Ernakulam - 0484 2423513
Thrissur - 0487 2362424
Palakkad - 0491 2505309
Malappuram - 0483 2736320
Kozhikode - 0495 2371002
Wayanad - 9207985027
Kannur - 0497 2700645
Kasargode - 0499 4257700