18 DEAD, DOZENS MISSING IN KERALA AFTER FLOODS

As many as 18 people were killed and dozens of others went missing on Saturday as heavy rain lashed south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts of the southern state, officials said. “The situation is really serious in some parts of the state. We will do everything possible to save lives. We have sought help from the army, navy and air force. Relief camps have been set up in the districts,” Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement after chairing an emergency meeting in the state capital.

Chief minister Vijayan said all government agencies have been directed to take necessary steps to rescue people from the affected regions and evacuate those living in areas prone to landslides and floods. Vijayan also directed the district collectors to open relief camps to relocate the affected people and said the camps should function strictly adhering to Covid-19 protocol.

Officials have said several people have also been injured and displaced in rain-related incidents in Kerala where dams in many districts are nearing their full capacity and small towns and villages in the hilly areas are totally cut off. Authorities have said everything was under control and there was no need for any panic even as the high ranges of central and south Kerala are experiencing a similar situation the state faced during the devastating floods of 2018 and 2019.

- Hindustan Times, 17 Oct, 2021