Kerala rains: Red alert for 10 dams

A woman breaks down as her house is damaged in a landslide, at Plappally pandalam in Kottayam district

With water levels rising due to heavy rains in the catchment areas, a red alert was issued in respect of 10 dams in Kerala, two shutters of Kakki dam here were opened and pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala has been put on hold for now, state Revenue Minister K Rajan said on Monday.

Rajan and state Health Minister Veena George said it has been decided to open the Kakki dam to release around 100-200 cumex water which would increase the water level of Pampa river by around 15 cm.

Rescue workers carry the body of a victim at a site of a landslide in Kokkayar, in Kerala, on Sunday. Pics/PTI

They said the decision was taken in view of the water level in the dam increasing beyond the danger levels and also taking into consideration the heavy rainfall expected from October 20 which might worsen the situation if some water is not released now. According to a report in the Hindu, so far 27 people have died in landslides and floods caused by heavy rain in Kerala.

The ministers also said that preparations have been made to evacuate or shift people living along the banks of the Pampa river to relief camps set up in the district. Presently, there are 83 camps in the district where over 2,000 people are housed, Rajan said.

The Dalai Lama on Monday expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property due to the heavy rains and landslides in Kerala and offered financial assistance for the relief and rescue work there.

27
Death toll in rain-related events in Kerala

Flood alert in 35 villages near Palar river in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Chengalpet district Collector A R Rahul Nadh on Monday issued a flood alert. In view of rains in catchment areas, 6,322 cusecs of water has been released from the Palar Anaicut and people must stay away from River Palar and bridges across it, he said. The water released from the anaicut is expected to reach the border of Palur soon. Hence, people should not use bridges or go near the, Nadh said, adding the over 35 villages on the banks of the river in Chengelpet district are being monitored, he added.

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