Kerala Rains
Many low-lying areas in Kochi were inundatedANI

The south India state of Kerala has witnessed torrential rain in the last few days and the situation remains grim on Wednesday, August 15. Overflowing rivers and massive landslides have resulted in the death of about 40 people in the state and about five are said to be missing. 

LIVE UPDATES

  • The BJP officials in Kerala have said that they will contribute their two weeks' salary toward relief and rehabilitation activities.
  • After seeking additional NDRF assistance, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the Centre to re-assess the flood damage
  • All the resorts in Alappuzha have been asked to evacute tourists.
  • The death toll in Kerala rains has risen to 44. The state government has now called for an emergency meet to take stock of the situation
  • The state government said that Onam celebrations at the Kerala Raj Bhavan stand cancelled and the funds will instead for used for relief and rehabilitation of those affected by the floods.
  • Kerala Governor P Sathasivam tweeted: "We have decided not to have Onam feast and celebration this year at Kerala Raj Bhavan"
  • Kerala has cancelled Onam celebrations 
  • The Kochi Airport has suspended operations until Saturday, August 18. 
  • Mullaiperiyar is likely to reach its maximum limit by 12 noon, after which more wated would be released into Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu PWD had issued the first flood warning to Kerala at 2.30 a.m. on Wednesday. "The inflow had swelled and we had to start the release early to avoid rush flow into the Mullaperiyar river (to Kerala side). Hence, we started to discharge water with a plan to gradually increase it," The Hindu quoted Executive Engineer of Periyar-Vaigai Basin Circle, T. Subramanian as saying.
  • The department has no sounded a red alert in multiple districts and warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall. 
  • Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and Ernakulam are likely to receive torrential rains until Thursday, August 16.
  • An Orange alert -- heavy to very heavy rain in isolatedplaces -- is in place in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam Districts till Thursday.
  • The Met Department has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds in all the districts of the state.
  • The Kerala government has also requested the deployment of more contingents of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the situation worsens. 
  • Residents of Manjumala, Kumily, Periyar, Upputhura and Ayyapankovil villages were relocated and those living close to the banks of the Periyar river were also evacuated to relief camps. 
  • The gates of the Cheruthoni dam have been raised after release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam in Tamil Nadu. The gates were further raised at 7.15 am to increase the discharge to 1,000 cumecs. Tamil Nadu opened the gates of the Mullaperiyar dam at 1.30 am.
  • The runway of the airport remains inundated, due to which flights haven't been able to land at the airport or take off.
  • Due to extremely heavy rainfall, the Kochi International Airport has suspended its operation until 2 pm on August 15.