Normal life disrupted in Kerala due to resultant flash floods

Normal life has been disrupted in the state due to heavy rainfall creating a flood situation in Kerala, the people of the state are struggling to cope with floodwaters. The flood took on alarming proportions over the state for almost a month. Triggered by heavy rains in the southwest tip of the Indian peninsula, the flood has revived memories of a deluge in 2018 that claimed more than 400 lives and laid much property to waste. Whereas this time, too, people and homes have been swept away, vehicles as large as buses submerged and livelihoods have taken apart by unruly waters, even as landslides wreaked havoc.

According to the latest reports, the resultant flash floods and landslides had claimed 35 lives so far in the state, with around 13 deaths in Kottayam and nine in Idukki.

According to the India Meteorological Department, 'Orange' and 'Yellow' rainfall alerts is issued in various districts of the state from October 21 till October 25. The Orange alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts and Yellow alert in Kannur and Kasargod districts on 21 October. Earlier, a high alert was issued in Ernakulam and Idukki districts on October 19. Kerala government has issued a red alert for 11 dams in Kerala as water levels continue to rise in rivers and reservoirs on October 19.

The sources further revealed that many roads were swept away, houses were damaged and trees were uprooted. Several villages in the hilly areas were cut off. Moreover, thousands of people were evacuated and at least 100 relief camps have also been set up. Flood water entered houses and farms. Landslide incidents were reported in Kottayam and Idukki district as heavy rainfall in the district. Earlier, NDRF teams were deployed in Kottayam and Idukki district for the rescue operation after landslides.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level in Madamon, Kalluppara, Thumpaman, Pullakayar, Manikkal, Vellaikadavu and Aruvipuram dams in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram districts is increasing. The fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea. The water level is rising in Pampa, Achenkovil and Manimala rivers in some places in the Pathanamthitta district. A warning has been issued in waterfront areas of Kurudamannil, Maramom, Konni, Kalleli, Pandalam, Thumpamon, Vallamkulam and Kalloopara.

Furthermore, while the Bay of Bengal low-pressure system moved west-north-westwards across north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coast, the Arabian Sea system has moved east-south-eastwards. Finally, the Bay of Bengal's low-pressure system moved towards Telangana and the Arabian Sea system reached the Kerala coast on October 23. Under the influence of this low-pressure system has led to maximum rainfall activity over Kerala.