Death toll due to rains in Kerala rises to 35, water in 11 dams above danger mark

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The death toll in the landslides and flash floods triggered by incessant rain in Kerala rose to 35 on Monday and a red alert has been issued for 11 dams across the state as water levels have breached the danger mark in several areas.</p>
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A high alert has also been issued in Ernakulam and Idukki districts. The Idukki dam shutters will be opened tomorrow at 11 am to release excess water, said minister Roshy Augustine at a press conference on Monday. The dam has been on orange alert since Sunday. With more rains expected, the KSEB and state government decided to open it to release excess water which is likely to cause flooding downstream near the banks of Chalakkudy River. People living in low-lying areas are being evacuated.</p>
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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to the people to go to safer places in the wake of the high alert issued for 11 dams.</p>
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The state government has opened 247 camps for affected people across the state, in which 2,619 displaced families have sought refuge.</p>
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Meanwhile, the pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala has been put on hold after two shutters of Kakki dam were opened, causing a rise in water levels in Pampa River.</p>
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The country’s meteorological department has informed that a fresh spell of easterly wave is likely to affect south Peninsular India from October 20 and cause fairly widespread rainfall. Isolated very heavy rainfall is also very likely over Kerala on October 21 and 22.</p>