Torrential downpour claims 37 lives in Kerala

Kerala: As many as 37 people have lost their lives in flooding and landslides, following heavy and incessant rains in Kerala.

In the wake of the situation, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, along with Tourism Minister KJ Alphons will visit flood-affected areas of the state on August 12.

The Rajnath-led delegation is expected to carry out an aerial survey of the flood-affected regions and review the search, rescue and relief measures taken by the state government and central government agencies.

During the current South-West monsoon season, various parts of Kerala have been affected by heavy rains and rain-oriented calamities of varying degrees.

As many as 14 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) consisting of 404 rescuers and 31 boats were already deployed in various parts of flood-hit districts Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Idukki to assist the state administration in the relief and rescue operation as well as distribution of essential relief material and to provide medical support to affected people at the time of emergency.

So far, the NDRF teams have rescued seven people and evacuated 398 others and 12 livestock.

In view of possible inundation, NDRF teams have been kept on standby in vulnerable locations and keeping close vigil over the development of the situation.

Additional teams have also been kept as standby at NDRF's Arrakonnam base and will be mobilised, if required.