Kerala:heavy rain distrupt normal life,Armed pressed into service

In Kerala,torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of the states. Rainfall continued to disrupt normal life on Sunday also.18 people losing their lives to rain-related incidents so far and dozens of others missing after flash floods and landslides in multiple regions.In addition to floods in hilly areas of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta, officials said the rivers Meenachal and Manimala are overflowing. Several people have been injured and displaced in rain-related incidents, even as dams in many districts neared full capacity. Several small towns and villages in the hilly areas of the state are totally cut off from the outside world. Officials said personnel of the Army, Airforce and the Navy were on the way to Koottickal and Peruvanthanam--the two hilly villages falling under Kottayam and Idukki districts respectively--where an overflowing river swept through houses, displacing and isolating many.The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy said it is fully ready for assisting local administration in rescue operations. Lord Ayyappa devotees have been asked to avoid visiting Sabarimala Temple on Sunday and Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that intense rainfall activity over Kerala will reduce 'significantly' from Sunday.

(attached INSAT 3D image).

Intense rainfall activity over Kerala to reduce significantly from tomorrow, the 17th.

For detailed rainfall and thunderstorm warnings visit: https://t.co/z5t48P3H0D

2/2 pic.twitter.com/2CNemJALt2

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 16, 2021

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to the people to keep vigil over the next 24 hours. In a Facebook post, he said rain had hit the south and central districts and it would intensify in the northern districts by the evening.A CMO release said six teams of NDRF have been deployed in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has warned people living in low-lying areas to exercise extreme caution and prepare to move out..Due to the heavy rain in the district, the water levels continue to rise in the catchment areas of dams. The shutters of the Maniyar dam have been opened due to an increase in the water levels in the reservoir.