Kerala Rains: 9 Bodies Recovered in Two Days, 30 Families Feared Missing After Landslide in Malappuram District

Kochi, August 11: Two days after a massive landslide washed away houses at Malappuram district  of Kerala, at least nine bodies were recovered on Sunday. According to a tweet by ANI, the incident took place at Kavalappara in Nilambur of Malappuram district of the southern state on August 8. Kavalappara is a Western Ghats village and is close to the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Themassive landslide  also swept away 40 houses at Muthappankunnu while nearly thirty families are feared missing after a landslide which took place on Thursday evening. IMD Issues Red Alert for 8 Districts of Kerala. 

Due to flooding, land slides and trees and boulders falling on railway tracks, several rail services have been cancelled or short terminated. As torrential rains lashed the southern state, rivers in Kerala have swelled causing excess water to enter low lying areas of the state, resulting in a flood-like situation. Monsoon 2019 Mayhem: Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra Reel Under Floods As Rains Gain Pace. 

On Friday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan conducted a review meeting of the disaster management activities. According to reports, as many as 57 people have died due to floods and landslides in Kerala while over 1.65 lakh people have been evacuated so far. According to official figures, the rain-related deaths in Kerala between August 8 and 10 is 57, while 1,65,519 people have been evacuated to 1,318 relief camps.  Monsoon 2019: IMD Predicts Nationwide 'Normal' Rainfall For June to September Period.

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), along with the army and local police are currently engaged in rescue and relief operations. The IMD has predicted heavy rains in several districts of Kerala and eastern Gujarat in the next 24 hours. On Saturday, the India Meteorological Dept (IMD) issued Red and Orange alerts for eight and six districts across the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2019 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).