Kerala rain fury kills 6: armed forces on standby but MeT says showers to subside

At least 6 people were killed and dozens of others have gone missing as heavy rain lashed south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts of the southern state

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan after chairing an emergency meeting in the state capital on Saturday said that 'the situation is really serious in some parts of the state' and his government has sought help from the army, navy, and air force.

Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts were worst affected and local media reported that many people were injured in rain-related accidents.

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Vijayan also directed the district collectors to open relief camps to relocate the affected people and said the camps should function strictly adhering to Covid-19 protocol.

The chief minister announced that colleges that were to reopen from October 18 should now only open from October 20. It was also decided that the Sabarimala pilgrimage will be avoided till October 19.

However, the IMD said in a tweet late on Saturday that intense rainfall activity over Kerala will reduce significantly from late afternoon on Sunday.