Thiruvananthapuram: There was no let-up from heavy rains in Kerala as four members of a family were killed at Edavanna in Malappuram district when their house collapsed Friday, taking the rain-related death toll in the state to 22, while over 22,000 people have been moved to relief camps.
The Cochin International Airport, where flight operations was suspended till midnight Friday after floodwaters inundated the apron area (parking), will remain closed till 3.00 pm Sunday, an official press release said.
Moderate to heavy rainfall with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is very likely to occur at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Train services on the Mararikulam-Alapuzha route was suspended Friday morning for a few hours as a tree fell on the track, damaging electric lines. At least four trains — Maveli Express, Rajdhani Express, Dhanbad Express and Guruvayur Express – were held up at various points, railway sources said.
In Vatakara in Kozhikode district, three people are said to be missing after a landslide.
Till Thursday, eight people had died in the state, mainly in northern Kerala, in rain-related incidents. With four more deaths reported Friday morning the toll has now gone up to 12. It may further go up as several persons are suspected to be missing in the massive landslide at Meppadi in Wayanad district Friday. A temple, a mosque and a couple of houses and a few vehicles have come under the debris.
Biju, an eyewitness, said a canteen and residents of plantation workers was also destroyed in the landslide. Many people ran away from the canteen and were rescued. Nine injured people have been shifted to a hospital.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had held a held a meeting with government and state Disaster Management Authority officials on Thursday night, said a ‘serious situation’ is prevailing in parts of Kerala, especially Wayanad.
However after another meeting Friday, Vijayan assured the people that there is no need to panic at all.
Speaking to the media here soon after chairing a review meeting, Vijayan said things are under control.
“If one compares with the floods that took place the same time last year, this time it’s not that serious. As a government, we have taken every precaution and there need be no panic, but just be alert. The need of the hour is people should cooperate with the authorities, if they are asked to move out from places which are likely to turn dangerous, they must comply,” said Vijayan.
“The worst affected is Wayanad. Of the 22,165 people in 315 relief camps in the state, Wayanad has 9,563 people in 105 relief camps, the highest in the state. At Mepadi, an entire hill has been washed away. The inclement weather is preventing aerial operations, even as the Air Force team is ready and waiting to reach there. The Centre has pledged all possible help,” informed Vijayan.
“The meteorological department has predicted more rains in the next 24 hours, especially in the hilly areas of the state. Also, North Kerala is going to be affected by winds. The prediction is that from tomorrow the intensity of the rains is going to come down, but on August 15th, it’s going to rain heavily,” Vijayan added.