College reopening, Sabarimala pilgrimage postponed as Kerala battles heavy rains

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains are wreaking havoc in several components of the state since Friday night time. Ten individuals went lacking in a landslide at Koottikkal in Kottayam and 7 went lacking in a landslide at Kokkayar in Idukki district. Several individuals have misplaced their lives within the rain fury.

A excessive degree assembly chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan determined to postpone the school reopening to October 20. The assembly additionally determined to not permit pilgrims to Sabarimala till October 19. 

Several areas within the excessive ranges of Kottayam and Idukki confronted flash floods and a few have been remoted. A person and lady travelling in a automobile have been washed away within the flash floods at Kanjar in Thodupuzha.

Amid fears of a repeat of the catastrophic floods in 2018, CM Vijayan mentioned that the state of affairs is just not anticipated to turn out to be worse. “The latest climate forecast offers a relief. We are not headed to a worse situation,” he mentioned after a high-level assessment assembly on Saturday night.

A crimson alert has been sounded within the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad. The IMD has requested individuals to take precaution towards lightening between 2 pm and 10 pm on Sunday.

The high-level assembly determined to evacuate individuals from areas liable to floods and landslide. The chief minister requested officers to take particular care on dam administration. Evacuation warnings for individuals within the catchment areas ought to be given effectively prematurely. The district administration and departments of energy and water assets ought to make joint efforts, he mentioned.

The CM requested district administrations to hunt assist from the NDRF groups tenting within the state. Army, Navy and Air Force can be referred to as in. Local self-governments have been requested to organize listing of boats obtainable for rescue actions. The Motor Vehicles Department has ready a region-wise lists of earth movers, tippers, crains and ambulances for emergency rescue operations.