Kerala Floods: Kochi Airport Shut as Precautionary Measure, Flight Operations Suspended Till Midnight

Kochi, August 8: Authorities on Thursday suspended flight operations at Kochi airport as heavy rains left runways flooded. The Kochi airport will remain shut till midnight. Heavy rains battered several parts of Kerala, submerging low-lying areas leaving people stranded in houses and isolated places. Eight people, including a one-year-old child, were killed.

According to Kerala Revenue Minister E. Chandrashekeran, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Kasargode and Idukki districts were the worst affected areas. Red alerts have been issued in Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. Over 3,000 people were evacuated to over 60 relief camps in different parts of the state. Rahul Gandhi Expresses Concern Over Flood Situation in Several States, Urges Congress Workers to Help Affected People.

Barring the state capital district and neighbouring Kollam, the remaining 12 districts have been affected by rains. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out because winds were blowing at 40-50 km per hour. University examinations in all the affected districts have been postponed. A year ago, Kerala witnessed a devastating deluge.

According to the India Meteorological Department, heavy to very heavy rains are likely in Kerala over the next two days. The state government sought the help of the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue mission. The water level is rising in most of the rivers and dams across the state. (With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 10:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).