Kerala flood: CM seeks help from all quarters as death toll tops 40 | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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Kerala flood: CM seeks help from all quarters as death toll tops 40

Thiruvananthapuram | By
Aug 15, 2018 03:22 PM IST

Kerala has sounded a red alert in 12 out of 14 districts following the heavy rainfall and flooding after the shutters of more than 30 dams were lifted. Authorities decided to shut the international airport in Cochin on Wednesday for four days for the first time after the area was flooded.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday sought help from all quarters and appealed everyone to cooperate with the government to deal with the unprecedented situation in the state, where over 40 people have been killed in torrential rains and floods.

Fire and Rescue personnel evacuate local residents in an inflatable boat from a flooded area at Muppathadam near Eloor in Kochi's Ernakulam district.(AFP Photo)
Fire and Rescue personnel evacuate local residents in an inflatable boat from a flooded area at Muppathadam near Eloor in Kochi's Ernakulam district.(AFP Photo)

“As you are aware the state is going through a serious situation. All the rivers are in spate and dams are full. Today we were forced to open the shutters of Mullaperiyar. The water reached many areas of three districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta,” he said.

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“Things are moving on a war footing. We need help from all quarters and the government is committed to minimising casualty ... Since the met office has predicted rain for four more days, we have to be extra vigilant. I am sure we will overcome this challenge,” he added.

Kerala has sounded a red alert in 12 out of 14 districts following the heavy rainfall and flooding after the shutters of more than 30 dams were lifted. Authorities decided to shut the international airport in Cochin on Wednesday for four days for the first time after the area was flooded.

Many areas have been marooned and landslides were reported in Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. The weather department has issued a red alert for Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and Ernakulam districts till Thursday.

The worst-affected Idukki and Wayanad districts received 80mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, a spokesperson of the regional office of the meteorological department said.

Vijayan also urged people to contribute generously to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund in the wake of the state’s worst flood disaster in 94 years during his Independence Day speech in Thiruvananthapuram in the pouring rain.

“We are celebrating this year’s Independence Day when the floods have ravaged the state. It is a disaster that has never been witnessed in the state. But if all of us join hands, we will be able to handle any disaster,” he said.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

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