A ‘red alert’ has been sounded in four districts of Kerala where heavy rains, gusty winds and widespread landslips have wreaked havoc in several areas after the second spell of the south-west monsoon intensified.
Water level is rising in most of the rivers and dams across the state with Kannur, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts facing a flood-like situation.
Major rivers like Manimala, Meenachal, Moovattupuzha, Chaliyar, Valapattanam, Iruvazjinjpuzha and Pamba are in spate.
Here are the live updates with inputs from Kerala bureau:
The Met department has issued red alert and predicted very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad on Friday.
The State government has sought the Army's help to tackle the rain-related emergency in Wayanad.
One column of Defence Security Corps personnel from Kannur has been rushed to Wayanad, a defence spokesperson said here on Thursday. Led by an officer, the contingent consists of one junior commissioned officer and 55 personnel.
Low-lying areas in Kozhikode inundated
There was no let-up in rain in Kozhikode on Thursday. Several low-lying areas in the city suburbs and rural areas have been submerged in the rain-induced flooding.
Landslips were reported at Mattikunnu and Kannappan Kundu. About 30 houses were damaged in the hill regions of Thamarassery, Omassery and Puthuppadi. Vehicular traffic was partially disrupted on Thamarassery Ghat road linking Kozhikode to Wayanad after trees were uprooted in the area.
River Pampa breaches banks at Triveni
River Pampa breached its banks at Pampa-Triveni in the foothills of Sabarimala, flooding the Pampa Manalpuram on Thursday morning.
Floodwater entered the Annadana Mandapam of the Travancore Devaswom Board, as well as various shops and hotels situated on the riverbank in Pampa.
The police and the Akhila Bharata Ayyappa Seva Sanghom vounteers, who were engaged in cleaning operation at Pampa, helped the pilgrims, who were returning from Sabarimala after the Niraputhari celebrations held at the Ayyappa Temple on Wednesday, to cross the river safely.
Incessant rain floods Nilambur region
Flooding in Nilambur in Malappuram district on Thursday, August 8, 2019
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Flooding in Nilambur in Malappuram district on Thursday, August 8, 2019 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The north-eastern part of Malappuram district, particularly Nilambur and neighbouring regions, were submerged since Wednesday night following incessant rain for the last three days.
The entire Nilambur town is inundated with hundreds of houses, shops and business establishments being submerged. Water rose to two-metre level in some places. A red alert has been sounded for Malappuram district.
Hundreds of people were shifted to safer places. When many moved to their relatives’ houses, some others were shifted to relief camps. A large number of people who went to the second floor of their houses are trapped there. Rescue officials said many refused to leave their houses, hoping that the flood waters would recede.
Water levels likely to rise at Periyar, Muvattupuzha rivers
All 15 shutters of the Bhoothathankettu barrage were raised on Thursday, August 8 2019, leading to a steady increase in water level in the Periyar river.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
All 15 shutters of the Bhoothathankettu barrage were raised on Thursday, August 8 2019, leading to a steady increase in water level in the Periyar river. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The water levels at the Periyar and Muvattupuzha rivers are likely to increase by 1.5 m following heavy rain that lashed the Ernakulam district, as the authorities decided to open all the 15 shutters of the Bhoothathankettu barrage after the release of water from Idamalayar dam on Thursday morning.
The continued rise in water level since the shutters were opened has left authorities anxious. Two relief camps were opened at Kothamangalam and North Paravur taluks to accommodate a few families whose homes were destroyed in heavy winds that hit the region on Wednesday night.
Heavy rain, landslips cause havoc across Idukki district
Heavy rain lashed Idukki district since August 7 night, leading to the flooding of low-lying areas and landslips in the high ranges. Some areas were cut off from the rest of the district on August 8.
The hill station of Munnar was isolated and traffic on the Kottayam-Kumily stretch of the Kollam-Theni national highway was blocked by landslips and floods.
The Periyavarai bridge, which connects Munnar with Tamil Nadu, was flooded and there were reports that storm waters had damaged the temporary bridge. Electricity and telephone lines were snapped the Munnar town was flooded. Landslips were widely reported in the high ranges.
Red alert issued in four districts, NDRF teams requested for deployment
With heavy rain continuing to wreak havoc in central and north Kerala districts, the Indian Meteorological Department on Thursday, August 7, issued a red alert in Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts for August 8 and in Idukki and Wayanad for August 9.
Orange level alerts have been issued for Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur and Kasaragod for August 8.
Idukki, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts have reported widespread damage in the continuing rainfall which has triggered landslips and floods.
Incessant rain brings life to a halt in Kottayam
The monsoon has unleashed its fury on Kottayam, with incessant rain accompanied by squally winds leaving its rivers in spate, triggering landslips and affecting normal life.
As per initial reports, the rain that began to lash the district non-stop since Wednesday evening has damaged a few houses, besides causing crop loss and uprooting trees at many locations. In view of the rain causing landslips, traffic to the high-range regions, including the Kottayam-Kumily route, has come to a halt.
The low-lying areas, including Upper Kuttanad and all major causeways across the Meenachil, have been inundated, triggering fears of a flood, like last year. Power supply remains disrupted in many areas as the strong winds brought down many trees, damaging electricity poles and parked vehicles.
In view of the intense rainfall, Collector P.K Sudheer Babu declared Thursday a holiday for all educational institutions in the district. The sudden announcement at 8.05 in the morning, caught students and their parents unawares as many of them came to know about it only after reaching the school.
Flood situation over north interior Karnataka and south Maharashtra will ease down from August 10 or 11, says Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet
Skymet also predicts that most parts of Gujarat will experience flood-like situation with heavy rains on August 9. Intensity will go down from 10, says the weather service company.
"Heavy to very heavy rains have occurred over Chhattisgarh and many parts of Madhya Pradesh. Now heavy rains are possible over MP's Vidarbha and south east Rajasthan for next 24 hours,"says Skymet
Delhi weather to remain dry until August 12. Monsoon trough is south of Delhi and humid easterly winds are blowing. Isolated thunder storm activities can't be ruled out. But, Rain is expected in moderate intensity from 13th, Skymet added.
Red alert in Kerala's Malappuram
There are reports of innudation in the Nilambur and Karulai regions of Malappuram district of Kerala, where a red alert has been declared. There are also reports of landslides at a few places following heavy rains.