Thiruvananthapuram, August 9: The death toll in rain-related incidents over the last 24 hours in Kerala reached 26 Thursday as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan postponed Saturday’s annual Nehru boat race in Alappuzha following forecast for more rains.
“In the intervening night of August 8-9, 22 person died in various districts of Kerala due to heavy rain and landslides,” said a Home Ministry statement, quoting Kerala Emergency Operations Centre. As per the statement, the death includes 11 from Idukki, five from Malapuram, three from Wayanad, two from Kannur and one from Kozidkode. An Inter-ministerial Central team is also visiting the flood-affected area and the Army support is being mobilized from Bengaluru, the statement said. Earlier, Vijayan, while talking to media, said rains have caused extensive damage to life and property across the state.
“As we speak, the trial run of opening one shutter of the Idukki dam might have taken place,” Vijayan said. As a precaution, the Cochin International Airport Limited has informed that till 2.30 p.m. all incoming flights will be diverted to other destinations, while there will be no problem for outgoing flights. “Since more rains are forecast, as a matter of abundant caution, it has been decided to postpone the upcoming Nehru boat race on the Punnamada lake. The new dates will be announced by the organisers,” said Vijayan.
He said that the Central team has agreed to provide all help. “Since heavy rains have led to widespread loss and destruction, we call upon all to donate to the Chief Minister’s Fund,” Vijayan said. Earlier State Power Minister MM Mani, who is from Idukki, said: “I visited the affected areas Thursday morning; things are pretty bad.”
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