Rains Batter South India  

Hyderabad: Heavy rains lashed many parts of Southern India leaving at least 16 people dead. Torrential rains, gusty winds and landslips have left a trail of destruction in the region. Road transport and train services have been disrupted in many areas.

In Kerala, the situation is a chilling reminder of the 2018 floods as the heavy rains continued to batter the state. Parts of Kerala once again face a flood-like situation. Flight operations at Kochi International Airport have been stopped till 3 pm on Sunday. Meanwhile, the water level in Periyar river and a canal near the airport has been rising sending alarm bells ringing.

At least 16 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state and authorities fear that the numbers could rise. A red alert has been issued in four districts of Kerala - Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode. All Schools and colleges are shut in all 14 districts of the southern state today and no university exam will be held.

In Srikakulam district at the eastern end of Andhra Pradesh, a third warning signal was raised as the flood level at Gotta Barrage on River Vamsadhara crossed 1.11 lakh cusecs. The State Disaster Management Authority said that heavy downpour in upper catchment area in Odisha resulted in copious inflows into Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers in Srikakulam.

The situation in Maharashtra is also grim as the state is grappling with a grim flood situation, especially in its western districts.  Over 1.32 lakh people have been shifted to safer places in western Maharashtra. Meanwhile, in Sangli, one of the worst-affected districts in the state, fourteen people drowned after a boat engaged in rescue work overturned in a water body. In Kolhapur, essential supplies has been cut off and thousands of houses damaged. Only roofs of shops and houses could be seen in many parts of the submerged district.

In Tamil Nadu, heavy rains lashed Nilgiris, Theni, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts, filling water bodies including reservoirs in these districts.

In Karnataka, over 40,000 people from affected districts in northern, coastal and Malnad have been evacuated by rescue teams. Nine people have been killed in various rain-related incidents, with Belagavi suffering the highest casualties of six victims.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is currently camping in Belagavi, supervising relief and rescue operations.

Also Read: YS Jagan Takes Stock Of Flood Hit Regions Of Andhra Pradesh

Also Read: Kochi Airport Runway Flooded, All Flights Cancelled