Torrential rain intensifies in Kerala

In Kerala, torrential rain has intensified causing landslides and flood in northern districts. Landslides hit several places in Malabar including Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Heavy rain continues in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts as well. 

Due to widespread landslides and flooding in the northern hill district of Wayanad, thousands of people took shelter at relief camps. Several areas in Wayanad are isolated. 

All the dams in Palakkad district are opened resulting in the flooding of several places. As per met department, heavy rain will continue till 18 of August and declared red in 7



districts. 

Operations suspended in Cochin International Airport till 2 pm today due to high flood level in and around the Airport. The shutters of Mullaperiyar dam was opened and people residing on the sides of Periyar river have been cautioned.

According to authorities, over 215 landslides were reported in the rain battered state, where 444 villages were declared flood-hit by the state government. 

At least 20,000 houses were fully destroyed and about 30,000 persons had taken shelter in relief camps. The rains and landslides had destroyed 10,000 km of roads in the state.