Kerala rains: Death toll caused by landslides rises to 11, Amit Shah says ‘monitoring situation’

As the death toll due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Kerala mounted to 11, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (October 17) said the Centre is continuously monitoring the situation. 

Taking to Twitter, Shah assured of all possible help from the central government. “We are continuously monitoring the situation in parts of Kerala in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding. The central govt will provide all possible support to help people in need. NDRF teams have already been sent to assist the rescue operations. Praying for everyone’s safety,” he tweeted. 

Pic Courtesy: PTI

The Army, National Disaster Relief Teams (NDRF), police and the Fire Force along with the locals began rescue operations on Sunday morning at Koottickal and Kokkayar panchayats where over a dozen people are feared to be missing due to several landslides accompanied by heavy showers since Saturday.

Pic Courtesy: ANI 

A total of 33 people including eight women and seven children have been rescued so far, according to the NDRF. Rescue operations were also conducted in and around Ernakulam district and in Vaipur, RanniTaluk in Pathanamthitta district.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued 'Yellow' alert for Ernakulum district today. 

Pic Courtesy: ANI

Idduki and Kottayam districts in Central and South Kerala bore the brunt of the heavy rains that have been lashing the state since Friday with many people feared missing in landslides. Several people have been injured and displaced in rain-related incidents. 

Pic Courtesy: ANI

According to the Met department, there will be isolated heavy rain in parts of Kerala over the next 24 hours starting October 17. The IMD said that the low-pressure area over southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala has become less marked and there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall at many places with only isolated heavy rainfall over the state during next 24 hours and further decrease thereafter.

Pic Courtesy: IANS