8 Dead, 27 Homes Destroyed in Kerala Monsoon Floods
Heavy rains trigger flooding and landslides as rescue and relief efforts continue across Kerala.
Heavy monsoon rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala have caused severe flooding and landslides. According to Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheeshan, the heavy rains have sadly claimed eight lives, while eight people remain missing and 13 others have been injured.
Kerala is a home state for a large number of families residing in the UAE and the wider GCC region, who are closely watching the weather updates back home.
Impact on Homes and Families
The severe weather has caused significant damage across the state:
- 27 houses have been completely destroyed.
- 196 houses have been partially damaged.
- 5,792 people have been safely moved to 209 relief camps.
Fortunately, the heavy rains that started on July 31 began to ease by August 2. Clean-up operations are now underway in the flood-affected areas. Chief Minister Satheeshan has called on voluntary organizations and political workers to join the recovery efforts.
Current Weather Alerts and Safety Measures
Authorities have issued safety alerts for local rivers to keep residents safe:
- An Orange alert is in place for the Pamba River in the Pathanamthitta district.
- A Yellow alert has been issued for the Payaswani River in Kasargod.
Videos shared online show major roads flooded in several parts of the state, including waterlogged streets in Kannur and Alappuzha. However, disaster management teams are working hard to control the situation.
Updates from Disaster Management
The State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) Member Secretary, Sekhar Kuriakose, shared some reassuring news, stating that the "rainfall situation is improving".
To support rescue operations, the state has deployed nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, alongside active fire force and civil defence volunteers. While rains are expected to "re-activate" around August 7, experts believe the intensity will be much lower.
Government Support and Rehabilitation
The Kerala government has promised quick action to help those affected by the floods. The Chief Minister announced that the government will provide "adequate financial assistance" to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to people who have lost their homes, crops, and livelihoods.
He reassured the public that the state is "prepared to handle any emergency situation" and urged everyone to cooperate and follow safety instructions from local authorities.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here
AI contributed to the creation of this article.