Thiruvananthapuram, August 10: The death toll due to flooding and landslides following heavy and incessant rains because of the southwest monsoon in Kerala rises to 26 in the last 48 hours. Water levels are rising in the dams of the state. As many as 24 shutters of the dams have been opened, posing a threat to the low lying areas of the state. The maximum water level in the Idukki reservoir is 2403 feet, and already the water level have reached 2401 mark.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) today opened one of the five shutters of the Cheruthoni dam on the Idukki reservoir after 26 years of it being shut. Idukki is the worst affected district, as 11 people died, followed by Malappuram district with five deaths, three in Wayanad and two in Kannur. National Disaster and Response Teams (NDRF) have been deployed in the flood-affected districts.

The state government has also sought help from the Indian Army, Coast Guards and the Indian Navy. Coast Guards have despatched rescue and relief teams to Aluva, Ernakulam and Beypore districts for assisting NDRF teams. Nehru Trophy Boat Race has also  been cancelled because of the heavy rains.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 10, 2018 09:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).