By Najiya O, TwoCircles.net
Kozhikode: With heavy rains continuing to wreak havoc in the state, Kerala is facing its heaviest calamity in decades. A total of 29 people have lost their lives so far in landslides and other rain-related incidents since August 8.
All the five shutters of one of the dams of the Idukki water reservoir have been opened as the water level in the dam has been increasing owing to the incessant rains. The first shutter was opened at 12.30 pm yesterday as a trial run but was not closed down, and two others were opened by evening yesterday itself. The rest two were opened between 1 and 2 pm today. The amount of water going out of the dam has been raised to 750,000 litres per second. The full level of the dam is 2,403 feet, and the water level has already crossed 2,401 feet. The shutters of the dam have been opened only twice before, once in 1982 and then in 1993, but it is the first time that all five shutters are opened. In an unprecedented move, shutters of a total of 27 dams in various parts of the state have been reportedly opened in the past few weeks due to the continuous rains and rising water levels.
Rains continue to remain heavy in the hilly areas. Rescue operations are going on in the areas hit by landslides last day. The army and the fire force are in the rescue operations along with local people and volunteers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday discussed the situations with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on phone and has reportedly offered all support. The Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh had earlier called Vijayan and offered centre’s help. He will also undertake an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas on Sunday.
The Centre has reportedly sent in several columns of the Army for rescue operations. Two columns are undertaking rescue operations in Idukki. Four columns of the army are in the disaster-hit areas of Wayanad, Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode. The rescue operations in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts are also being assisted by the Military Engineer Services. The Indian Navy has also put on alert its Southern Naval Command.
The Chief Minister is expected to visit the disaster-hit areas Saturday. He will be accompanied by Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan, DGP Loknath Behra and Chief Secretary Tom Jose during the aerial review of the situations. The Chief Minister has also cancelled all his public programmes till Sunday to coordinate the flood relief activities.
It was raining heavily today morning in the districts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Idukki, while heavy rains have come down a bit in the districts of Wayanad, Palakkad and Thrissur. Several low-lying areas have been flooded and landslides have hit the hilly regions. Several people have been shifted to relief camps, a total of 260 having been opened in various parts of the state. Ministers are coordinating the rescue activities in districts. Eight districts namely Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta have been put on Red Alert till August 11, while Idukki has been put on Red Alert till August 13, and Wayanad till August 14. Schools and other educational institutions in several districts remained shut yesterday and today as per the direction of the respective District Collectors.
Meanwhile, more than 50 tourists including 24 from abroad, who had been stranded in the hill station of Munnar in Idukki district, due to landslides, were rescued today by the army even as rains were non-stop. Owing to the alarming situations, the government has banned tourists from going to Munnar.
The river Periyar is overflowing now after the opening of the shutters of the Idukki dam. The river is flowing furiously devastating whatever is seen on its banks. Several towns have been submerged in water, bringing buildings and houses to destruction. Around 200 families have already been evacuated from the banks of the river, and more than 6000 families will still need to be.
The Cochin International Airport had closed down yesterday for two hours out of fear of flooding in the runway following the opening of the shutters of the Idukki Dam, however, it is now fully in function. It had also affected the Haj pilgrims flying to Saudi Arabia from the airport, but now all flights are reportedly running on schedule.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department of India’s bulletin states today that “the ongoing rainfall
However, local people and volunteers are in full swing into the rescue operations along with the government agencies. The state government has requested people for monetary help to the state disaster management authority. Neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have lent their helping hands to the state in the difficult situation. Karnataka has given Rs 10 crore and Tamil Nadu has offered Rs 5 crore as flood relief.