23 Killed In Kerala Rain, Armed Forces On Guard, Rescue Efforts Underway

Kerala Rain: Landslides have been reported in Kottayam and Idukki districts

Highlights

Devotees told to avoid visiting Sabarimala Temple today and tomorrow.
The Chief Minister held a high-level meeting to intensify rescue efforts
Colleges that were to open from October 18 will now begin from October 20

New Delhi: At least 23 people have been killed in Kerala as heavy rain triggered landslides in Idukki and Kottayam districts. Lord Ayyappa devotees have been asked to avoid visiting Sabarimala Temple. The rescue ops are underway.

Here are top 10 developments on this big story:

No rain alerts have been issued for today and tomorrow for Kerala. However, yellow alerts - isolated heavy shower alerts - have been issued for various districts from 20-24 October.
"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," Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to the families of those killed in the deluge. "It is saddening that some people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted. The prime minister also spoke to Pinarayi Vijayan and "discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala". "Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone's safety and well-being," he said in a tweet.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting on Saturday to intensify the rescue efforts and said that all means will be used to evacuate people stranded in areas flooded due to heavy rain in the state, including Kottayam.
The Chief Minister has directed that camps have to be started by following Covid protocol. Masks, sanitisers, drinking water, medicines should be made available in camps, he said. Caution should be taken for people who have co-morbidities and those who have not taken vaccination, he added.
State colleges that were to open from October 18 will now only begin from October 20.
Rahul Gandhi, who is an MP from Wayanad, tweeted, "My thoughts are with the people of Kerala. Please stay safe and follow all safety precautions."
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.
Landslides have been reported in Kottayam and Idukki districts. Twelve people are reported missing in Kottayam. The bad weather condition at Kottayam is delaying the rescue operation by the defence personnel.
On the state government's request, the Army, Navy and Air Force have stepped in to help the civil administration handle the situation. The National Disaster Response Force has decided to deploy 11 teams. The weather office has pointed to creation of a low pressure area over southeast Arabian sea off the Kerala coast as the reason behind the downpour.