Disaster

Kerala floods: Death toll rises over 75, Odisha announces 5 crore relief

In one of the first unprecedented floods in history, fresh onslaught of rain in Kerala since August 9 has led to a death toll of over 75 and 35 out of 39 dams have been opened.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called PM of India Modi on Thursday to seek more aid considering the situation. He also sought for additional Army personnel and helicopters.

Cochin International Airport has suspended operations till 2 pm due to flooding in and around the airport. A red alert has been issued in all the 14 districts of the state.

Train services have been halted and road transport services are in chaos as roads have submerged under water. Officials said a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in all districts barring Kasaragod for day while colleges and universities have postponed exams.

In Periyar River, rise of floods due to the rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, have critically affected lives of people in downstream areas.

Odisha government today announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore for the state. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik talked to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan over telephone, following which the financial aid was announced, the CMO said. Patnaik also offered any other kind of support required to tackle the calamity, as Odisha has expertise in dealing with disasters like flood and cyclone, it said.

The Supreme Court has directed that the sub-committee constituted under section 9 of Disaster Management Act meet with representatives of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to chalk out ways to reduce the water level in Mullaperiyar dam to 139 feet.

 

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