Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas and held discussions with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, camping in Kochi. He announced additional Rs 100 crore for immediate relief in the affected areas.
After a brief lull, rains lashed Kerala yet again on Sunday morning, posing problems for carrying out of relief operations in the flood and landslide hit regions.
Water level in Idukki dam further decreased on Sunday and now stands at 2,399.28 feet. Parts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of the state however, continue to remain submerged. Even as the water level is now below the 2,400 feet mark, the decision to close down the five floodgates will be taken at a later date depending on the amount of rains, said the district authorities.
Five floodgates of the dam are open at present, while 7.50 lakh litres of water are being sent out to the Periyar river which touches parts of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts.
This has further resulted in floods causing the evacuation of over 10,000 people.
The Indian Army through a tweet informed that the rescue operations are underway.
“Troops are relentlessly involved in rescue operations fighting bad weather, poor communications and connectivity. A total of more than 1000 people including elderly women and children were rescued from various locations where teams are presently operating,” said the tweet.
In another tweet, the Indian Army said 40 teams are working to ensure complete rescue operation in the worst hit areas.
“Worst hit by floods are areas of Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Idukki and Mallapuram. 10 columns comprising more than 40 composite teams are working round the clock to ensure that even the last person stranded at any remote floods hit area is rescued,” tweeted the Indian Army.
Officials in Ernakulam and Thrissur however, on Sunday said the situation was under control and the water level of the river has come down which may allow some people to return to their homes.
"As the first step for the families to return, various volunteers along with health officials will first reach the homes and clean up," a government official at a relief camp in Ernakulam said.
Idukki district recorded 90mm of rain for a period of 24 hours on Saturday, which receded to 40mm on Sunday morning, according to weather authorities.
The situation in the hilly district of Wayanad, which has seen massive destruction to crops and properties, on Sunday looked a bit grim with intermittent heavy rains pounding the region.
The day's forecast points to more rains with chances of landslides and mud slips.
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