Rescue operations in full swing, Cheeyappara road opens partially

CM urges Centre to send team to study loss, Kochi international airport resumes operations

Traffic along the Neryamangalam-Adimali road was opened partially after a landslide stuck at Cheeyappara in Idukki district on Monday. Rescue operations are in full swing and no casualty was reported on Tuesday.  

Chief minister Oommen Chandy reached the accident spot today morning along with home minister Thirvanchoor Radhakrishnan and revenue minister Adoor Prakash.

Earlier in the day, the CM called an all-party meeting at Adimali to coordinate the rescue operations, and urged the Centre to send a team to take stock of the loss in Kerala due to the rainfall, floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, Vazhachal divisional forest officer has banned entry to Athirapppiily and Vazhachal waterfalls in Thrissur district for three days, as water level has been rising at an alarming level in Periyar river. According to the weather office at Thiruvananthapuram, strong rains would continue for the next two days with winds blowing at 55 kmph.

Kerala received 65 per cent more rainfall during June and July this year.

Water level rises in Mullaiperiyar
Water level in Mullaiperiyar dam crossed touched 134.5 ft by noon today, posing threat to districts like Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam. Kerala has requested Tamil Nadu to lift more water from the dam as Mullaiperiyar dam is devoid of shutters.  Meanwhile, water level in Idukki dam reached 2,388 ft, which is 83 per cent of its maximum capacity on Tuesday. It is likely that shutters of the dam will be lifted once the water level crosses 2,400 ft.

Rescue work
The Navy has sent a 16-member diving team to rescue marooned villagers from an island in the Periyar river. It is also sending a 40-member team to Idukki, which was affected by landslides. The Indian Army has sent three columns of personnel to Cheeyappara.  Meanwhile, a 40-member team of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) along with 5-tonne relief material had been ferried to the accident spot by two Air Force aircraft.

Kochi airport resumes operation
The Kochi international airport resumed operations by 3:45 pm today with the landing of Thiruvananthapuram – Kochi flight of Air India Express.

The Colombo–Kochi flight of Sri Lankan Airlines also arrived at the airport. Earlier, 13 services were cancelled in the morning session. The airport is expected to resume normal functioning by Wednesday.