At least half dozen dead, several feared missing once Kerala rain triggers floods, landslides; IAF help sought-after

At least six people have died and a dozen are missing on Saturday (October 16, 2021) as heavy rains hit Kerala, prompting the state government to seek the help of the defense forces with relief operations . The relentless rains in the state have caused flash floods and landslides in many areas. Scores of people have been injured and displaced in rain-related accidents in the southern state, where dams in many districts are reaching capacity and small towns and villages in hilly areas are completely cut off from the outside world.

The situation is really serious in parts of the state. We will do all we can to save lives. We asked for help from the army, navy and air force. Relief camps have been set up in the affected districts, ”said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Many hilly areas of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta are experiencing a situation almost similar to what the state faced in the devastating floods of 2018 and 2019, but authorities said everything was under control and not there weren't any. panic. State police rescue teams and firefighters were unable to reach the affected areas due to flooding and adverse weather conditions.

However, rescue teams from the state police and firefighters were unable to reach the affected areas due to flooding and poor weather conditions. This led officials to call in military, air force, and navy personnel. An official said the teams were on their way to Koottickal and Peruvanthanam, the two hilltop villages that fall under Kottayam and Idukki districts respectively, where a raging river overflowed between the houses, displacing and isolating many people.