On October 17, the mortality toll from rain-related occurrences in Kerala climbed to 27, with more victims being recovered from the landslide-ravaged areas of the Kottayam and Idukki districts.
While the State saw a significant decrease in rainfall activity on October 17, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cautioned that vigilance should be maintained because the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had anticipated extensive rainfall beginning on October 13. He stated that the State’s crisis management measures will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and urged the public to avoid any unnecessary travel.
Twenty-two bodies were retrieved from various rain-stricken locations, 13 from Kottayam district and 9 from Idukki, as NDRF teams resumed their rescue operations.
Officials cited the reason for the deaths due to landslides and flash floods on Saturday in the elevated parts of Kottayam and Idukki districts as heavy rainfall. District Collector Sheeba George said two people are still missing in the high-altitude Idukki district, where a travel ban has been imposed owing to adverse weather conditions.
According to Revenue Minister K. Rajan, the State Government will grant a financial help of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of landslide victims in the Plapally and Kavali regions of Koottickal panchayat.
On October 17, The Chief Minister said that five more NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams will be deployed in the districts of Idukki, Kottayam, Kannur, Palakkad, and Kollam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and offered his assistance in the management of the disaster.
According to the authorities, 156 assistance camps have been established throughout the state as of Sunday. Since October 11, 1,253 families (4,713 people) have been relocated to various camps across the state. There are 321 families in the Kottayam district and 219 in Idukki.
