Kerala flood: Death toll rises along with landslide numbers
For the past few days, Kerala suffered a heavy pounding rains. There was a brief let-up in the downpour on Saturday. But the state government remained on high alert. Since August 8, the Kerala flood death toll has escalated to 37.
The catchment areas of the Idukki Dam saw relief today. Still, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a ‘Red Alert’. Citizens have been asked to exercise caution. There is still a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places in Idukki, Wayanad, Kannur, Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram.
Two fishermen met their demise today when their boat capsized off Thiruvananthapuram coast due to Kerala flood. In another unfortunate incident, the bodies of a mother and daughter were found in a waterlogged area behind their house at Kuttanad, Alappuzha district. Four more bodies were recovered from other parts of the state. This takes the official death toll to 37.
The Kerala flood waters have started receding in Palakkad and Wayanad. Life has started going back to normal at a slow pace after the rains have let up.
The number of people who have been 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 in the state now.
The state has witnessed 25 landslides in the past three days. Of these, 21 were reported in Idukki alone. As the records of the revenue officials tell us, a total of 1501 houses were damaged in the rain and flood. As many as 101 houses were completely destroyed.
Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a sum of Rs. 4 lakh to be paid to the relatives of those who died in the spell of rain. People whose houses were destroyed will get a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh. The central government has assured all forms of help to the state government to help them deal with this crisis.
We hope that the floods do not resurface and Kerala can be rebuilt smoothly after the unprecedented crisis of the Kerala flood.
