THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The flood situation in Southern parts of India and Gujarat has become grim with death toll rising to 114 as on Saturday.Among the states – Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat – Kerala has been worst hit with 7 districts under red alert.
8 districts have been badly affected by the floods and rains in Kerala. On Monday, the death toll in the state reached 72. As many as 58 people are still missing.
More than 2.5 lakh people have been displaced from the flood affected areas and shifted in 1640 relief camps. Rail services in Kerala remain cancelled while flight operations from Kochi international airport, suspended following inundation, will resume at noon on Sunday.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad in view of heavy rain forecast.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said water levels in major dams are not a cause of worry as of now.
The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, NDRF, police force, volunteers and fishermen are involved in the rescue operation in various places.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited a relief camp in Wayanad and spoke to the people sheltered there.NDRF is running a rescue operation.
Landslides also killed 10 people in Puthumala in Wayanad district.Standing crops of sugarcane, maize and vegetables on over a lakh hectares have been damaged, besides loss of property and valuables.
In Maharashtra, four lakh people have been evacuated and 12 deaths due to the calamity have been reported so far.In Gujarat 19 loss of life have been recorded.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that additional 15 teams of the Indian Navy have been deployed to the flood affected regions for the rescue mission.
The death toll as of Sunday evening as a result of the floods in Karnataka is 40, and 14 people are missing.As of Sunday, four Indian Air Force choppers have been deployed in Belagavi, Mysuru and Raichur. One Indian Navy chopper is in Uttara Kannada.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of Karnataka’s Belagavi district on Sunday. At least 30 people have died and more than two lakh people have been evacuated in the state, chief minister BS Yediyurappa has said.
The reports said heavy rains and subsequent floods continue to wreak havoc across many states in India at the peak of south-west monsoon season.
