Thiruvananthapuram, August 8: A year after devastating floods wreaked havoc in Kerala, the southern state is again facing flood-like situation this year. A red alert has been issued in four districts - Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad – of the state, after heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala. In some districts, a yellow alert has also been issued. According to reports, around 10 people lost their lives in the rains, while over 13,000 people were evacuated to safe places.

Authorities have shut the Kochi airport till midnight in the wake heavy rains warning by the weather department. Barring the state capital and neighbouring Kollam, the remaining 12 districts have been affected by rains. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out as winds were blowing at 40-50 km per hour. Maharashtra Floods: Heavy Rains Likely in Konkan And Madhya Maharashtra Over Next Two Days.

Popular hill stations of Kerala - like Munnar and Kumily - are currently cut-off due to landslides on the roads connecting them with rest of the state. Munnar received 194 mm alone in the last 24 hours. The Idukki district administration has banned the movement of tourist buses and vehicles and heavy-load trucks on hilly roads between 6 pm and 6 am from August 8-11, reported The Indian Express. A landslide was also reported from Chappamala at Iritty taluk in Kannur district. Kerala Floods: Pic of Large Amount Of Plastic Thrown Back by Nature on a Bridge After Water Level Recedes is a Wake-up call.

Amid warning of heavy rains in the state, water sports have been suspended till August 15. Over 100 relief camps were set up in Kerala, accommodating around 8,000 people. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday also chaired an emergency meeting to evaluate the situation in the state. Vijayan has sought the help of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army. The Chief Minister Office in a press release said, “We have requested more NDRF teams to be sent to the state. Already two teams have been sent to Nilambur and Idukki."

Flood-like Situation in Kerala:

The flood situation in Karnataka and Maharashtra remained to be grim. Sixteen people were reportedly killed in rain and flood-related incidents in western Maharashtra in the last seven days. State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took stock of flood situation in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara through an aerial survey. Around five people also lost their lives in Karnataka due to heavy rains in the past three days. Last week, Gujarat was also lashed by heavy downpour leading to flood-like situation in some parts of the state.

On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), to review the prevailing flood situation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat. According to a press note, the Cabinet Secretary took stock of the current situation, preparedness, rescue and relief operations and directed that immediate assistance, as sought by the states, be provided to meet the crisis.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2019 12:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).