Kerala continues to reel under torrential rains and overflowing rivers even as rescue operations are being scaled up across the state. While flood situation has improved in certain areas, things are going from bad to worse in some others.
Here is a district-wise status report on flood and rains in Kerala:
1. Ernakulam
Ernakulam was among the most affected districts over past three-four days. Aluva, Paravur and Eloor witnessed large-scale evacuations as they got submerged under water. However, these areas in Ernakulam are looking at normalcy as the water level is receding due to some respite from heavy rains over the past couple of days.
However, a lot of people are still awaiting rescue with most of them in dire need of food, water, clothes and medical support.
2. Thrissur
Water in Chalakudy town, which was inundated, has completely receded off the main roads. Water level has come down in Peringalkuthu dam, which had been overflowing since the past few days. With water level receding, the amount of water being released from the Peringalkuthu dam has also been reduced. Shutters of Peechi and Poomala dams have also been lowered. This has reduced the water level in Chalakudy river. The intensity of rainfall has also reduced in Thrissur. Roads connecting Thrissur with Angamaly has been damaged at most places. However, slow-moving traffic has partially begun along this route.
3. Alappuzha
Even as the situation improved in Ernakulam and Thrissur, the action has shifted to Alappuzha from where most of the distress calls are coming in. Situation has worsened in Chengannur area, where thousands are stranded. More rescue teams of the Army, Navy and Air Force have been rushed to Chengannur taluk. Additional teams from the Navy will be deployed in Chengannur.
People are being evacuated from Kuttanad area as water level continues to rise owing to rains, which is pouring in all its intensity. More than 4,500 people have been shifted to shelter homes in Cherthala area. Two teams each of the NDRF have been rushed to Ramankary, Muttar and Kaavalam areas.
4. Pathanamthitta
Rescue teams are working tirelessly in Thiruvalla as SOS calls continue to pour in from the flood-hit state in Kerala. As many as 70 boats are already in the waters, ferrying stranded people to safer places. Rescuers are focused on stepping up efforts in Peringara, Nedumbram, Niranam, Kadapra and Kuttoor villages, and Kozhenchery and Aranmula. Evacuation in Ranni has been more or less completed. However, Panthalam still draws a grim picture.
The collector has informed that 95 per cent rescue efforts will be completed by Saturday evening and the rest by Sunday morning.
5. Idukki
With incessant rains, landslips and landslides are being reported from Idukki district in Kerala where four people were killed on Saturday. Kumily, Kattapana, Cheruthoni, Peerumedu and Munnar areas are witnessing torrential rains.
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6. Malappuram
Rain has weakened in Malappuram. In a respite, water has receded from the main roads. However, low-lying areas continue to be inundated. Currently, the district is facing severe fuel shortage and power outages.
7. Kottayam
The situation has worsened in Kottayam district in Kerala. Muvattupuzha river has changed its course and is flowing through Thalayolapparambu town blocking the road to Vaikom. Low-lying areas are under water with Meenachil and Manimala flowing in full capacity. Water levels are rising in Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Vaikom, Kumarakom, Ayarkkunnam, Manarcad, Aymanam, Arppookkara, Thiruvarpp, Veloor, Thalayolaparambu and Udayanapuram. Rescue operations are underway in these areas.
8. Palakkad
People residing in the low-lying areas of Palakkad have been asked to shift to safer places. Rescue efforts have become tedious with the district being cut off from the rest of Kerala with bridges submerging at Pattambi and Mayannur areas. Famous toursist spot Nelliyampathy has also been isolated.
Rain has weakened in the rest of the state with red and orange alerts being changed to yellow alert. Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragode will witness only light to moderate rainfalls. Yellow alerts have been issued in Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur.