NEW DELHI, Oct 18 (NNN-PTI) – At least 26 people were killed and many others reported missing, after heavy rains wreaked havoc in the southern Indian state of Kerala, officials said.
The rains triggered waterlogging, flooding and landslides in several areas of the state. Authorities asked India’s National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel and defence forces, army, navy and air force, to carry out rescue and relief efforts.
Local media reports said, over a dozen people have been reported missing due to landslides, accompanied by a heavy downpour.
“The search operations are underway for the missing persons in the debris, in Kottayam and Idukki districts,” an official said.
Federal Home Minister, Amit Shah, yesterday said, the Indian government was monitoring the situation in Kerala and has already deployed NDRF teams to aid rescue operations.
“We are continuously monitoring the situation in parts of Kerala, in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding. The central (federal) gov’t 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,” Shah wrote on social media.
“Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, spoke to Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, and discussed the situation. The Prime Minister also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Kerala’s chief minister has directed state government agencies to take necessary steps, to rescue people from the affected regions and evacuate those living in areas prone to landslides and floods.– NNN-PTI
