Thiruvananthapuram: The water level at Idukki reservoir came down to 2400.18 ft at 9pm on Saturday from 2401.62 ft recorded at the same time on Friday. Rainfall too eased in the catchment areas, allaying fears of imminent flooding downstream, especially in eastern parts of Ernakulam district not far from Kochi city.
KSEB officials, however, said they would reduce discharge of water from Cheruthoni dam only when the water level dips below 2,400 ft. Kerala Disaster Management Authority too warned against relaxing vigil, pointing to IMD’s forecast of more rains on Saturday night and Sunday. The IMD has predicted heavy rain in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur districts for Sunday.
According to Kerala Disaster Management Authority, the number of persons who died in the last three days due to rains and flooding in the state is 37. Two persons are missing, and 32 persons were seriously injured in various incidents. Two deaths were reported on Saturday from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accompanied by revenue minister E Chandrasekharan and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, did an aerial survey of flood-hit areas on Saturday. Union home minister Rajnath Singh will reach Kerala on Sunday to assess the flood situation. The government has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to families of those who died and Rs 10 lakh for those whose houses and land were completely destroyed. Those who lost land alone will be given Rs 6 lakh and those who lost only their house will be given Rs 4 lakh as compensation. The CM said the government would ensure safe and speedy rehabilitation of all displaced people. Each family shifted to rehabilitation camps will be given Rs 3,800 for incidental expenses.
Idukki and Wayanad will remain on red alert till Monday and after that orange alert will continue for one more day. Ernakulam, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts will be on red alert for Sunday and on orange alert on Monday.
The number of people relocated to relief camps increased to 60,622 on Saturday. As many as 531 relief camps, mostly in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Wayanad districts are functioning. Several NGOs have begun drives to collect essential items like clothing, sanitary napkins and medicines for the camps. The chief minister directed district administrations to coordinate distribution of aid provided by external agencies.
