37 Dead In Kerala Floods, High Alert Sounded

Kochi: High alert was sounded in more than half of the 14 districts in Kerala on Saturday as death toll in one of the worst floods in the southern state rose to 37.

Heavy rains and landslides have destroyed farmlands.

According to the sources, crops on 1,031 hectares (2547.66 acres) have been damaged and 31,000 people have been forced to take shelter in rescue camps.

As India Meteorological Department predicted heavy rain till August 15, trouble was not over for the worst-affected Idukki and Wayanad districts, as well as Kannur.

A government official told Reuters that crop worth 3.42 billion rupees ($49.65 million), across 26,824 hectares had been destroyed since the onset of rains on May 29.

 “There was no rain in the catchment areas of major reservoirs today,” said KSDMA chief PH Kurian. “However, we will continue to stay alert and prepared till August 15,” he added.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to tour the state on Sunday to take a stock of the relief and rescue operations, Kurian informed.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin the deceased and Rs 10 lakh each to those who lost their land and homes in the floods.