Kerala Floods Updates: Death toll rises to 21; PM speaks to CM Vijayan

Three more rain-related deaths in Kottayam, toll rises to 13

The landslides following cloud burst related rains in Plappally and Kavali in Koottickal panchayat in Kottayam district took 10 lives. On Sunday, the bodies of seven persons were recovered while three bodies were recovered on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the public to be extra cautious as the rain continues. In a statement issued by Vijayan, he asked people to take precautions to avoid accidents, and to follow instructions of authorities and shift to safer places if necessary. He also asked the public to avoid unnecessary trips.

Several people have been injured and displaced while 23 have died as heavy rains pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts of the state. Fourteen deaths were reported in Kottayam’s Koottickal and eight deaths were reported in Idukki. A child has drowned in Kozhikode district.

It is saddening that some people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families: PM Modi

PM Modi Speaks to CM Vijayan, Says Authorities Working On Ground

Death toll due to heavy rains & landslide in Kerala stands at 21 (Kottayam-13 and Idukki- 8): State's Information & Public Relations Department

Presently, the situation is under control. If it rains heavily at night, it'll create problems. A total of 12 bodies recovered & postmortem is going on.Body of one person who wasn't on the list also recovered. No other missing persons reported: Kottayam Dist Collector PK Jayasree

In a statement issued by the Chief Minister's office Mr Vijayan said, "People should take precautions to avoid accidents. Follow the instructions of the authorities and shift if necessary. Avoid unnecessary trips."

Kerala: Heavy rain causes landslide, damage & destruction in Koottickal area of Kottayam district. Rescue operation is still underway.

Kerala floods LIVE: Water Level Rises in Muvattupuzha River

Three more bodies recovered from the site where a landslide occurred in Kokkayar, Idukki yesterday: Kerala Government

Kerala Floods LIVE: Three bodies recovered in Kokkayar in Idukki district, death toll rises to 17.

The Central Meteorological Department has warned of thundershowers and strong winds across Kerala till this evening.

Intense spell of rainfall activity over Kerala and Mahe, South Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal likely to reduce from today: IMD

Water from the overflowing Pampa river enters nearby houses

The death toll due to heavy rains in Kerala stands at 15 now as the rescue teams have found more bodies

Indian Navy drops relief material at landslide-affected Koottickal in Kottayam district, Kerala

Two more bodies were recovered from the site of the landslide at Koottikkal, Kottayam district. The death toll has now reached 11

We are continuously monitoring the situation in parts of Kerala in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding. The central govt will provide all possible support to help people in need. NDRF teams have already been sent to assist the rescue operations. Praying for everyone’s safety: Amit Shah

Water-level in Muvattupuzha river rises due to heavy rainfall in Ernakulum district

Medium-lift helicopters inducted for flood relief efforts in rain-affected districts of Kerala

Image shows landslide in Idukki

One Column of Army personnel from DSC Centre, Kannur with Engineering and Medical components arrived at Wayanad for rescue ops. Engineering Task Force from Bengaluru expected to arrive at Wayanad soon; total 3 columns deployed by the Army so far: Defence PRO

Restoration work underway following landslide due heavy rains at Koottickal

Army conducts rescue operations for missing persons in debris in Kavali, Kottayam

State ministers K Rajan, Roshy Augustine and VN Vasavan take part in a review meeting to assess the situation arising due to heavy rains in the state, at Mundakkayam, Kottayam

Kottayam: A bus partially submerged in a waterlogged area following heavy rains at Poonjaar

Swollen Kallada river in Kollam district amid heavy rains in the region

Three more bodies recovered from Koottikkal in Kottayam district as heavy rain triggers landslide, death toll reaches 9

The low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala has become less marked. There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall at many places with only isolated heavy rainfall over the state during the next 24 hours and further decrease thereafter: IMD

Army and Indian Air Force are on stand-by for assistance. We will provide all help to those in need: Kerala Minister K Rajan in rain-hit Kottayam district

NDRF team conducts rescue operation in Kokkayar, Idukki where a landslide occurred yesterday

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescues locals at Muvattupuzha in the rain-hit Ernakulam district

The following advisory has been issued for locals

• Pilgrims will not be allowed to trek to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, situated in a dense forest in Pathanamthitta district, till October 18
• Higher educational institutions, which were scheduled to open on October 18, will start on October 20
• Locals have been advised to keep extra vigil in the next 24 hours as rains are expected to intensify 
• Those residing in catchment areas should follow instructions of authorities as the water level in some rivers is expected to rise and shutters of certain dams are likely to be opened
• People should avoid visiting tourist places, or venturing near rivers and other water bodies
• People living in low-lying and other disaster-prone areas and on the banks of rivers are advised to move to safer places
• Fishing boats have been prohibited from venturing into the sea

'Red Alert' was sounded for six districts--Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad districts. Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are the most affected districts as of now due to heavy rains since Friday night.

The Indian Army has already deployed army personnel to the flood-affected areas. One column consisting of One Officer, 2 JCOs and 30 other ranks of army personnel already moved to Kanjirappally, Kottayam District from Pangode Military Station. The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy said it is fully ready for assisting local administration in rescue operations.

Mi-17 and Sarang Helicopters are already in standby mode to meet requirements but they could not start operations as the weather at Kottayam is still bad. Air Force assets are still at Sulur in a standby mode.

Idukki district collector Sheeba George said rescue efforts were affected due to the subsequent landslips which happened in the area late in the evening. Four houses have been swept away due to the landslides. 

Six people have died and over a dozen have gone missing as heavy rains pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts, prompting the state government to seek the assistance of the defence forces for rescue operations.