KERALA: In one of the heaviest downpours in recent years, 11 people have died and dozens are feared missing as landslides occurred in south and central Kerala on Saturday. The deaths were reported from Thodupuzha and Kokkayar in Idukki, and Koottikkal in the Kottayam district.Three bodies were pulled out from under debris in Koottikkal in Kottayam district on Sunday morning, while two more were recovered later in the day, taking the death toll to 11.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.Terming the situation as “serious”, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the IMD has warned of widespread heavy rains in the state due to a low-pressure system that has formed over the Arabian Sea.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.Mi-17 and Sarang Helicopters are already in standby mode to meet the requirements but they could not start operations due to foul weather conditions in Kottayam. The helicopters have now flown to Thiruvananthapuram.Rescue operations have been affected in Koottickal by a damaged bridge which blocked vehicles carrying equipment.The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy said it is fully ready for assisting local administration in rescue operations.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that intense rainfall activity over Kerala will reduce ‘significantly’ from today, October 17. However, red and orange alerts have been issued in the Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur districts of the state.
