Heavy rain, floods, landslides: Kerala counts its losses

Despite a brief let-up in the heavy bout of rain, Kerala continues to reel under the fury.

In many parts of the state, roads were waterlogged, houses and shops submerged.

Rainfall is expected to resume from Wednesday again, courtesy a fresh spell of easterly wave which likely to affect parts of southern India.

The death toll following floods and landslides in Kerala climbed up to 27 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from under the debris at Koottickal in Kottayam district and Kokkayar in neighbouring Idukki district.

Kerala, in the last two weeks, has received excess rainfall. The state government has sought help from Navy, Air Force and Army to rescue people who have lost their homes. (PTI)

Kottayam district is one of the worst-affected districts and the Army along with Air Force are carrying out rescue operations. The evacuation process is hampered due to flooded and damaged roads.

Kerala recorded heavy to very heavy rain measuring up to 115.5mm to 204.4mm in 24-hours, and extremely heavy rain over 204.4mm in 24-hours in at least six of its southern districts since Thursday.

An aerial view of landslide in Kottayam district where six casualties and 15 missing people were reported. (PTI)

In another landslide at Kokkayar at high ranges of Idukki, at least seven people are missing after five houses were washed away.

Central and southern Kerala were majorly affected by flash floods, mudslides and landslides on Saturday, including Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

The IMD has predicted heavy rainfall over Kerala and Mahe till Sunday morning.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan has assigned tasks to several departments regarding evacuation of all areas prone to landslides and mudslides.