Kerala Rains News Updates: SC Asks High Committee to Hold Meeting by Tomorrow in Connection With Rising Water Levels in Mullaperiyar Dam

PM Modi further said that he has asked the Defence Ministry to increase the rescue and relief operations across the state.

Updated: August 16, 2018 5:24 PM IST

By India.com News Desk | Edited by Roma Das

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New Delhi, Aug 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the flood situation in the state. PM Modi added that he had asked the Defence Ministry to increase the rescue and relief operations across the state. Commenting on the flood-like situation in the southern state, he tweeted, “Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala.”

Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala. @CMOKerala — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijayan said the toll in rain-related incidents had mounted to 67 with 25 deaths reported yesterday itself. The worst affected area is Malappuram where the number of casualties has touched 11. Vijayan has also issued a warning that the situation will worsen in the coming days as heavy rains are expected to continue for some time. Over 1.5 lakh people have been lodged in relief camps across the state. Vijayan has also spoken to Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the grave situation the state is facing. He had sent an SOS to PM Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart in Tamil Nadu E Palaniswami on the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam. Vijayan also asked Tamil Nadu chief minister to release the water from Mullaperiyar Dam after the water level reached the 142-feet mark. Currently, the Army has built a 35-feet long bridge and rescued about 100 people, including children and senior citizens, from Malampuzha’s Valiyakadu village. 

#Kerala: Army built a 35 feet long bridge and rescued 100 people (approx) including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha’s Valiyakadu village #KeralaFloodspic.twitter.com/PvY1EHRnZT — ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus services for Kannur, Kasaragodu and Mangalore have been suspended as of now following heavy rains and landslides.

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