Kochi, Aug 15: Authorities at the Cochin International Airport or Kochi International Airport have suspended operations till 2:00 pm on Saturday (August 18) as heavy rains continued to lash Kerala on Wednesday. "We are working hard to drain out the storm water. All are requested to co-operate," authorities said while announcing suspension of operations at the Cochin International Airport.

All flights at the Cochin International Airport cancelled due to flooding in and around the airport. The Idukki dam floodgates were reopened late on Tuesday as the water level in the Periyar river and its tributaries flowing through Ernakulam and Thrissur districts rose menacingly.

The Met department has forecast more rains till Saturday. Authorities are maintaining a close vigil especially in Idukki district as the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were also opened at 2.35 a.m. after its water-level crossed 140 feet. People living in and around the dam were evacuated late on Tuesday.

It has been raining heavily in several parts of the state since Tuesday evening. The authorities were forced to open 33 dams across Kerala.Rains which started on August 8 are said to have caused the worst damage to Kerala since 1924. Over 50,000 people are in relief camps and the damages to crops and properties is estimated to be over Rs 8,000 crore. (With IANS inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2018 11:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).