Incessant rains, landslides continue to create havoc in Kerala
Rains continued to wreak havoc in many parts of Kerala with northern district of Wayanad experiencing widespread landslides and flooding overnight, forcing thousands of people to take shelter at relief camps. Several people fled their homes yesterday due to landslides and landslips in the district, which is set high in the Western Ghats. People living in the downstream have been shifted to relief camps.
Over 13,800 people have been provided shelter at relief camps
Over 13,800 people have been provided shelter at 124 relief camps in Wayanad district. Low lying areas are inundated, officials said today. Shutters of Banasura Sagar Dam were raised further last night to release excess water. Northern Kerala districts including Kannur, Kasargod, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakad also witnessed rains last night. Two shutters of Cheruthoni Dam, part of Idukki reservoir, were closed last evening.
Water level in Mullaperiyar Dam has risen to 136 feet
Cheruthoni dam's water level is receding further, alleviating apprehensions of the affected people living downstream, particularly in Ernakulam district. However, the water level in Mullaperiyar Dam rose to 136ft, prompting authorities to sound a caution. The catchment areas of the dam are receiving rains continuously.
Devotees asked to avoid pilgrimage to Sabarimala
Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board in Thiruvananthapuram has asked the devotees to avoid their pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district to participate in Niraputhari celebrations as the water level in Pamba River was rising steadily. The Union Home Ministry's National Emergency Response Center in Delhi had said that floods in Kerala have claimed 187 lives and have badly hit 2,406 villages in 14 districts.
