Indian Thought Latest News & Views
Kottayam/Iduki. At least six people were killed and about a dozen people missing due to flash floods and landslides at many places due to heavy rains in south and central parts of Kerala on Saturday. In view of the dire situation due to rain, the state government has had to request the army’s help for relief and rescue operations. Many people have been injured, while many have been displaced due to rain-related incidents in this southern state of the country. Most of the state’s dams have been filled to their full capacity and landslides have cut off many small towns and villages in the mountains from the rest of the world.
A similar situation has arisen in the hilly areas of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts during the devastating floods of 2018 and 2019. However, officials say that the situation is under control and there is no need to panic. Despite the claim, relief teams of the state police and fire department are unable to reach the affected areas due to floods and bad weather. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the situation is serious. Along with this, he said that the latest weather forecast is indicating that the situation will not get worse now.
Army, Air Force and Navy personnel are reaching the hill villages of Kottikal in Kottayam and Peruvanathanam in Idukki where the river has washed away several houses and displaced many, officials said. State Cooperation Minister VN Vasan, who arrived in the neighborhood of these landslide-hit villages, said that the bodies of two women and a child have been recovered during the search operation, while the search is on for the bodies of a man killed in the incident. He told that 12 people are missing from these villages. In another incident, a 30-year-old man died after his car was washed away in a flood at Kanjar in Idukki district, police said. His body has been recovered.
Defense spokesperson said, “Mi-17 and Sarang helicopters have already been kept ready to meet the requirements. In view of the weather conditions in Kerala, all the bases of the Southern Command of the Air Force have been put on high alert. The spokesman said, “Indian Army has already deployed troops in the flood-affected areas.
A contingent comprising an officer, two JCOs and 30 other jawans has been sent to Kanjirapanalli in Kottayam district from the Pangod military base.” The Southern Command of the Indian Navy said that it is fully prepared to assist the local administration in the rescue and relief operations. The Navy tweeted, “The diver and rescue team are ready for deployment as soon as information is received. Once the weather is favourable, helicopters are ready to start help.”
Earlier, Cooperation and Registration Minister V.N. At least three houses were washed away in Kottayam district and ten people are feared missing, Vasavan told PTI. The minister said, “At least four landslides have been reported from different parts of Kottayam district. We have sought cooperation from the Air Force so that the people trapped in the Kottikal area can be rescued. We have information about some people missing and more than 60 people are waiting for rescue work as water has entered the houses.”
According to the latest information given by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), ‘Red Alert’ has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts. Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts are worst affected by the rains, which have been raining since Friday night. Several pictures from Kottayam district have gone viral on social media, including a KSRTC bus stuck in flood waters and local people rescuing passengers on board.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting on Saturday evening to review the rain situation and decided to intensify the rescue work in the affected areas. A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said that all government agencies were directed to take all necessary steps to rescue the people in the affected areas and to move people from those areas which are prone to floods or landslides. Vijayan also directed the district magistrates to open relief camps for the affected and displaced people. He said that these camps should be operated strictly following the COVID-19 rules.
It was also decided in the meeting that no pilgrims should be allowed to visit the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple located in the thick forests of Pathanamthitta till October 18, in view of the meteorological department’s warning of rain till October 19. This temple has been opened for ‘Thula Masam’ worship at 5 pm on Saturday itself. The higher educational institutions, which were to be opened from October 18, will now start from October 20, the statement said.
In a Facebook post appealing to the people of the state to be extra vigilant during the next 24 hours, Vijayan said that the rains have already started in the south and central districts and as per the weather forecast, the rains will intensify in the northern districts by evening. Will go He said that water level in some rivers is expected to rise as a result of heavy rains and gates of some dams are also likely to be opened. He has asked the people living in the areas around rivers and dams to be ready to follow the instructions of the authorities. Chief Minister said
