Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rains have lashed Kerala resulting in floods and landslides in many areas. Nine tourists have been killed in a landslide in the Idukki district of the state while heavy showers in Ernakulam and Kochi have disrupted normal life.
The Cochin International Airport has been shut down till Tuesday afternoon. All Kochi-bound international and domestic flights have been cancelled or diverted to nearby airports. Though water logging in the runway has been reduced, taxi-bays and parking bays still remained water logged.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy claimed that situation is now under control even as Army units and National Disaster Relief Force personnel are involved in relief and rescue efforts.
"The situation is under control but we never expected such an incident. The government is undertaking relief operations. The Army and NDRF are helping a lot," said Chandy.
The victims of the Idukki tragedy are believed to be tourists who were driving towards Munnar. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the deceased.
Eight contingents of Army and National Disaster Relief Force have been called to speed up relief and rescue operations in Idukki and Aluva areas near Kochi where Periyar River is overflowing.
Relief operations have been hampered since roads in Idukki were seriously damaged after 18 landslips had occurred since Sunday night. Chandy said some 20,000 people hit by incessant rains and floods have been shifted to relief camps in Idukki as well as Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts.
The government has allotted Rs 84 crore for urgent relief works in affected areas.
The sandbanks of Periyar river in Aluva, where thousands are to converge to perform the 'Balitharpanam' ritual on Tuesday on the day of 'Karkitakavavu', is flooded and the Shiva temple there almost submerged.
The district administration is seeking possibilities of alternative arrangements for the conduct of the ritual. The Cochin International airport at nearby Nedumbassery will remain closed to traffic till Tuesday evening as taxi bays and parking bays continue to be waterlogged.
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