Kerala rains LIVE Updates: Acute drinking water crisis has been reported from Palakkad and surrounding grama panchayats. Heavy rains in Kalpathy River had burst the main pipeline which carries drinking water from the Malampuzha reservoir to the pumping station. Heavy rain and subsequent water flow damaged a section of the track (B-line) between Kanjikode and Walayar, yesterday. Train services have been temporarily suspended on this line. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and other divisional officers inspected the site immediately.
All passenger carrying trains on Kanjikode-Walayar stretch in the Palakkad-Podanur section are likely to be regulated by 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Freight trains to be delayed. Repair work of the damaged track expected to be completed today.
At least 20 people have been reported dead in a Kerala landslide following a heavy spell of rainfall across the state. Most of the fatalities have been reported from Idukki and Malappuram districts.
Highlights
Holiday for all educational institutions in Pathanamthitta, all University exams postponed. Water level touched 2400 ft.
Six flood rescue teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Palakkad to carry out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) work.
All educational institutions including professional colleges at Kothamangalam, Kunnathunad, Aluva, Paravur Taluk, and Kadamakkudy to remain closed tomorrow: District Collector
Army has been deployed in three columns of an approximate strength of 75 persons each at Ayannkulu, Idukki and Wayanad. Two additional columns have been requisitioned and are moving to Kozhikode and Malappuram. Three Engineer Task Force to be deployed soon.
Water pumping halted in Aluva as the water levels in Aluva lake have been steadily rising.
Kerala state electricity board has issued third red alert in Idukki reservoir. The dam will be opened tomorrow morning to maintain the water level. At 4 pm today, the water level was 2399.56 ft.
Red Alert has been issued in Idukki, Wayanad. Reportedly, the Idukki dam gate will reopen again tomorrow at 6 pm. Famous Shiva Temple in Aluva is also submerged.
Flight Services at the Cochin Airport have been resumed
Southwest monsoon has been ruthless over Kerala and active over south interior Karnataka. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Kerala tomorrow as well.
Acute drinking water crisis has been reported from Palakkad Municipality and surrounding grama panchayats. Heavy rains in Kalpathy River had bursted the main pipeline which carries drinking water from the Malampuzha reservoir to the pumping station.
Heavy rain and subsequent water flow damaged a section of the track (B-line) between Kanjikode and Walayar, yesterday. Train services have been temporarily suspended on this line. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and other divisional officers inspected the site immediately. All passenger carrying trains on Kanjikode-Walayar stretch in the Palakkad-Podanur section are likely to be regulated by 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Freight trains to be delayed. Repair work of the damaged track expected to be completed today.
Rescue teams were deployed in the affected areas across Kerala. According to reports, the water levels have risen to a dangerous level which has prompted the NDRF authority to arrange more number of camps in rural areas. Community Rescue Volunteers are in action in most of the flood-hit areas using country boats.
Shutters of Idukki Reservoir (at Cheruthoni Dam) opened - shutter opened by 50 cm. It is the first in 26 years that the gates of the dam have been opened.
Over 100 houses vacated and 12 camps have been urgently opened at Paravur Taluk. Around 951 people rehabilitated in the district as the low-lying residential areas like Pathalam and Eloor have been submerged in water.
Schools and colleges will remain shut in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Wayanad and in several areas of Malappuram, Idukki and Kollam. The gates of Idamlayar dam in Ernakulam and Kakkayam dam in Kozhikode were also opened earlier in the day due to heavy rain.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, responding to the situation said: "Help has been sought from Army, Navy, NDRF. Three NDRF teams are in Alappuzha, Wayanad and Kozhikode. Two more teams have been moved. An additional of six teams have been asked to be sent to Kerala. Help from Navy has been sought to evacuate people who are cut off in Wayanad.
Reportedly, in an unexpected development, shutters of 22 dams were opened due to rising water levels.
Authorities have reported flooding in several low-lying areas in Kerala. A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has moved to Kozhikode to begin the resuce operations. Two more NDRF teams have been dispatched from the Centre for north Kerala. The state government has also sought help from the Indian Army in Wayanad and Idukki districts.