8 killed in Kerala as heavy rain triggers floods; orange alert in 12 districts
Heavy rain across Kerala has killed eight people, left eight missing and displaced thousands. Chief Minister VD Satheesan promised aid to the families of those who died and to people who lost their homes and livelihoods.
Eight people have died, and an equal number have been reported missing in the heavy rains that lashed parts of Kerala on Saturday and caused waterlogging and landslides, Chief Minister VD Satheesan's office said.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that 27 houses have been completely destroyed, 196 homes have been partially damaged, and 5,792 people have been shifted to 209 relief camps set up across the state.
He said the government would ensure assistance to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the people who lost their homes and livelihoods. CM Satheesan also urged people to remain vigilant, especially in hilly areas, despite a reduction in rainfall over the past 24 hours.
"People in hilly regions have been advised to remain vigilant. Although the intensity of the rainfall has reduced, all necessary precautionary measures are in place to deal with any situation," the CMO statement read.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an 'orange alert' in 12 districts of Kerala for Sunday. An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall of 115 mm to 204 mm.
CM Satheesan also said that people's representatives and volunteers were actively contributing towards relief efforts. He further said he was communicating with Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar and other ministers assigned to various districts as well as the local administrations in connection with rain-related relief operations.
He said that the reduction in downpour in many parts of the state gave way for cleaning activities to start in the waterlogged areas.
The CM urged workers and activists of political parties and voluntary organisations to participate in the cleaning activities and assured all support of the government for the same.
Anilkumar also said that following the heavy rains that caused widespread damage and waterlogging in the state, the situation was improving and was under control on Sunday.
He said that damaged roads had already been restored for travel in many places, while in some areas there were restrictions on vehicular movements. The minister further said that in view of the incessant rainfall, alerts have already been issued for the day in many districts, and preparations to deal with them are in place.
RAINS UP TO 320 MM IN SOME PARTS
The state received up to 320 mm of rainfall in some parts on Saturday, resulting in waterlogging of roads and low-lying areas, per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
It added that Ayyankunnu area of Kannur district recorded the highest rainfall of 320 mm. Meanwhile, many other areas of the northern Malabar region logged between 90 mm and 180 mm of rain from 3 am on Saturday till midnight.
The rains led to flooding in several low-lying and riverside parts of the state, especially in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Visuals on TV channels showed water entering homes.
While the rains subsided by Sunday morning, water was yet to recede from the flooded areas in various parts of the state. The situation prompted people to travel using small boats.
There was a drop in the water level of many dams due to the rains subsiding, prompting the closure of the shutters which had been opened on Saturday.
However, the water level in some power generation dams in Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts continued to be in red alert status, according to KSDMA.
Eight people have died, and an equal number have been reported missing in the heavy rains that lashed parts of Kerala on Saturday and caused waterlogging and landslides, Chief Minister VD Satheesan's office said.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that 27 houses have been completely destroyed, 196 homes have been partially damaged, and 5,792 people have been shifted to 209 relief camps set up across the state.
He said the government would ensure assistance to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the people who lost their homes and livelihoods. CM Satheesan also urged people to remain vigilant, especially in hilly areas, despite a reduction in rainfall over the past 24 hours.
"People in hilly regions have been advised to remain vigilant. Although the intensity of the rainfall has reduced, all necessary precautionary measures are in place to deal with any situation," the CMO statement read.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an 'orange alert' in 12 districts of Kerala for Sunday. An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall of 115 mm to 204 mm.
CM Satheesan also said that people's representatives and volunteers were actively contributing towards relief efforts. He further said he was communicating with Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar and other ministers assigned to various districts as well as the local administrations in connection with rain-related relief operations.
He said that the reduction in downpour in many parts of the state gave way for cleaning activities to start in the waterlogged areas.
The CM urged workers and activists of political parties and voluntary organisations to participate in the cleaning activities and assured all support of the government for the same.
Anilkumar also said that following the heavy rains that caused widespread damage and waterlogging in the state, the situation was improving and was under control on Sunday.
He said that damaged roads had already been restored for travel in many places, while in some areas there were restrictions on vehicular movements. The minister further said that in view of the incessant rainfall, alerts have already been issued for the day in many districts, and preparations to deal with them are in place.
RAINS UP TO 320 MM IN SOME PARTS
The state received up to 320 mm of rainfall in some parts on Saturday, resulting in waterlogging of roads and low-lying areas, per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
It added that Ayyankunnu area of Kannur district recorded the highest rainfall of 320 mm. Meanwhile, many other areas of the northern Malabar region logged between 90 mm and 180 mm of rain from 3 am on Saturday till midnight.
The rains led to flooding in several low-lying and riverside parts of the state, especially in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Visuals on TV channels showed water entering homes.
While the rains subsided by Sunday morning, water was yet to recede from the flooded areas in various parts of the state. The situation prompted people to travel using small boats.
There was a drop in the water level of many dams due to the rains subsiding, prompting the closure of the shutters which had been opened on Saturday.
However, the water level in some power generation dams in Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts continued to be in red alert status, according to KSDMA.
Eight people have died, and an equal number have been reported missing in the heavy rains that lashed parts of Kerala on Saturday and caused waterlogging and landslides, Chief Minister VD Satheesan's office said.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that 27 houses have been completely destroyed, 196 homes have been partially damaged, and 5,792 people have been shifted to 209 relief camps set up across the state.
He said the government would ensure assistance to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the people who lost their homes and livelihoods. CM Satheesan also urged people to remain vigilant, especially in hilly areas, despite a reduction in rainfall over the past 24 hours.
"People in hilly regions have been advised to remain vigilant. Although the intensity of the rainfall has reduced, all necessary precautionary measures are in place to deal with any situation," the CMO statement read.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an 'orange alert' in 12 districts of Kerala for Sunday. An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall of 115 mm to 204 mm.
CM Satheesan also said that people's representatives and volunteers were actively contributing towards relief efforts. He further said he was communicating with Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar and other ministers assigned to various districts as well as the local administrations in connection with rain-related relief operations.
He said that the reduction in downpour in many parts of the state gave way for cleaning activities to start in the waterlogged areas.
The CM urged workers and activists of political parties and voluntary organisations to participate in the cleaning activities and assured all support of the government for the same.
Anilkumar also said that following the heavy rains that caused widespread damage and waterlogging in the state, the situation was improving and was under control on Sunday.
He said that damaged roads had already been restored for travel in many places, while in some areas there were restrictions on vehicular movements. The minister further said that in view of the incessant rainfall, alerts have already been issued for the day in many districts, and preparations to deal with them are in place.
RAINS UP TO 320 MM IN SOME PARTS
The state received up to 320 mm of rainfall in some parts on Saturday, resulting in waterlogging of roads and low-lying areas, per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
It added that Ayyankunnu area of Kannur district recorded the highest rainfall of 320 mm. Meanwhile, many other areas of the northern Malabar region logged between 90 mm and 180 mm of rain from 3 am on Saturday till midnight.
The rains led to flooding in several low-lying and riverside parts of the state, especially in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Visuals on TV channels showed water entering homes.
While the rains subsided by Sunday morning, water was yet to recede from the flooded areas in various parts of the state. The situation prompted people to travel using small boats.
There was a drop in the water level of many dams due to the rains subsiding, prompting the closure of the shutters which had been opened on Saturday.
However, the water level in some power generation dams in Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts continued to be in red alert status, according to KSDMA.
