Flight operations at Cochin International Airport in Kerala have been stopped till 3 pm on Sunday due to heavy rain, airport officials said today. The water level in Periyar river and a canal near the airport has been rising. At least 22 people have died in the floods since Thursday, the state government said; officials said the number of dead is likely to rise. The Kerala government said a red alert - likelihood of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall - has been issued for four districts: Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with officials of the State Disaster Management Authority at their control room to oversee coordination of relief and rescue operations. The Central Water Commission said the water level in some rivers has risen to a dangerous point. Heavy rainfall has been forecast from August 15.
