Thiruvanathapuram, August 11: Even as Kerala continues to reel under heavy rains and all the five gates of the Idukki Cheruthoni dam have been opened for the first time in history, relief and rescue operations are underway. 29 people have died in the state so far and over 30,000 people have been evacuated. 10 teams of the NDRF are involved in relief operations, along with Army, Navy and coastguard. Schools and colleges remain shut and the US has issued an advisory to its citizen visiting Kerala. Red Alert has been issued in 8 out of 14 districts and 53,500 people are living in the camps with 7500 families evacuated in Ernakulam alone, according to the CMO Kerala.

But even as stories of the environmental catastrophe continues to pour from various parts of Kerala, a video of a rescue worker, saving a child's life by carrying him and running away just seconds ahead before the Cheruthoni bridge was engulfed under water, reinforces one's belief in humanity. Watch the dramatic video of the rescue here.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has announced an ex-gratia Rs 4 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 10 Lakh compensation to those who lost their houses and land, reported news agency ANI.

CMO Kerala's official handle tweeted saying that "CM Pinarayi Vijayan has contributed ₹1 lakh to CMDRF. Kerala is facing an unprecedented rain havoc. Rebuilding the affected areas is going to be an arduous task. CM has urged all to contribute generously to relief efforts."

The Chief Minister and team, landed in Wayanad, one of the worst affected districts in the state on Friday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to CM Pinarayi Vijayan over phone and discussed about the situation in State. Home Minister assured that the Centre will provide necessary assistance to the State.

According to latest update, Red Alert has been issued for Idukki and Wayanad till August 14 and Orange alert till August 15. Red Alert for Kannur till August 13 and Orange alert till August 15, have been issued by India Meteorological Department. Check the ANI tweet below:

Relief camps have been set up in different parts of the state as normal life continues to be affected due to Kerala Floods. Watch pictures from the relief operations below:

In latest rescue operation news,six people including 3 children have been rescued by the NDRF from a village in Mananthavady Taluk in Wayanad district, reported news agency ANI. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan also met the people affected due to flood in Wayanad on Friday evening. Nearly 60 tourists, including foreigners, who were stranded at a resort in Munnar, were safely rescued on Friday. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2018 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).