The death toll from floods and landslides caused by heavy rain over the past two days in various parts of Kerala has risen to 15, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Monday.
He also said that 7 people were missing in the rain and flood damage, and that rescue operations were continuing.
Speaking to reporters after holding an emergency consultation with officials at the State Disaster Management Authority on Monday, the Chief Minister said: Heavy rain has lashed various parts of Kerala, including Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Kannur. Following this, rescue operations were expedited.
One team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in Pathanamthitta, and two teams in Kottayam for rescue operations. Fourteen fishing boats have been sent from Kollam to Chengannur for relief work.
Two helicopters from Sulur in Tamil Nadu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram. We have requested that two more NDRF teams be sent from Arakkonam.
If necessary, district administrations have been instructed to deploy the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel in Alappuzha and the security forces in Kannur and Wayanad for relief operations.
11,018 people rescued from areas affected by rain floods and landslides are being housed in 316 relief camps. Food packets are being distributed by helicopter to the public stranded in areas that are difficult to reach.
164.98 hectares of land affected: Rain has damaged 164.98 hectares of agricultural land in the state. As a result, 3,596 farmers have been affected. The extent of damage may increase further in the final assessment. The information that water was released from water bodies is false. Strict action will be taken against those who spread such fake news and create fear among the public.
Flooding caused by the rain that has been falling over the past two days and landslides have claimed the lives of 15 people. 7 people are missing.
Relief announcement: A relief amount of Rs. 8 lakh will be provided to the families of those who died. Families returning to their homes from relief camps will receive Rs. 10,000 each, and those who have lost their livelihood will receive Rs. 300 each as relief. He said that the relief amount for houses completely damaged by the rain is being increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh.
