Video: Flood water level recedes in Kerala, fear of disease outbreak looms
As water level keeps on receding in parts of Kerala, the deadliest deluge in close to a century has left homes secured with mud, vehicles damaged and debris scattered on the streets.
After days long rains, floods, landslides and havoc, the state is facing numerous issues including broken roads, damaged houses and waterlogged surroundings.
Rescue operations are underway. Around seven and a half lakhs people are staying in relief camps. Careful precautionary measures are being taken to face epidemics.
The biggest challenges immediately ahead are cleaning of the flood-hit houses, rehabilitation, and prevention of water-borne diseases.
The World Health Organisation has also sent a 13-member team to the flood-hit state to oversee efforts to counter any epidemic outbreak.
People have started returning home from relief centres. Many were shocked to see the state of their homes covered with mud and slush as the water receded.
Except for occasional showers, the rain stayed away for the second day in most of the districts in Kerala.
The water level in most of the rivers came down to relatively safer levels.
Rainfall over Kerala during the southwest monsoon (1 June to 19 August) has been exceptionally high. Kerala has so far received 2346.6 mm rains against the normal of 1649.5 mm, according to IMD.
Kerala: Restoration work started at Chalakudy market in Thrissur after a decrease in the water level in the district. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/yRZPh6c95q
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2018
A total of 10,28,073 people, including 1,01,049 children, were housed in 3,274 relief camps.
Kodagu: Road clearance work underway at Kodagu-Mangalore highway after traffic movement was stalled due to multiple landslides on the route. #KarnatakaRains pic.twitter.com/WUdVSww5NL
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2018
Kerala has been facing the worst flooding in a century. The death toll, ever since the monsoon season began this year, has reached 400 approximately.
Indian Air Force's C-130J yesterday airlifted medical team consisting of 96 doctors led by Medical Education Minister of Maharashtra Girish Mahajan from Mumbai to Trivandrum. medical & relief supplies were lifted along with the medical team for flood-hit areas of #Kerela. pic.twitter.com/YPVg546o76
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2018
Train services partially restored
The train services which had collapsed following the incessant downpour in Kerala, have been partially restored.
The train services in Kayankulam-Kottayam- Ernakulam and Palakkad-Shoranur-Kozhikkode sections have been resumed.
Trivandrum- Ernakulam section was also connected by passenger Special Trains for the flood period.
Heavy damages caused by the floods in Aluva- Thrissur, Thrissur-Shoranur, Kayamkulam-Kottayam- Ernakulam Shoranur-Tirur, Shoranur- Palakkad routes have been fixed.