Thiruvananthapuram, August 9: Twenty people were killed in Kerala due to heavy rains over the last 24 hours. Idukki district remained the worst affected district. A total of 10 deaths have been reported from the area, of which five from one family lost their lives after their house caved in due to a mudslide. The other five victims were from Malappuram district who were washed away by the waters of the Chaliyar River that has increased to its highest levels since 1994.

According to a report published in Indian express, A flood-like situation was created after all the four shutters of the Idukki dam were opened to drain out excess rainwater. It resulted in an increase in water level in Periyar River by 1-1.5 metre. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting here to assess the situation.

Kerala State Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday issued an alert at Idukki dam after the water level in the reservoir touched 168.20 metres due to the heavy rains. Ernakulam district administration officials told PTI that relief camps had been opened in Choornikkara and Kombanad villages as the release of water would cause water overflow in those areas.

The state government has sought help from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard & National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Three  NDRF teams have arrived and two more teams will arrive soon, whereas six additional NDRF teams have been called in. Nehru Trophy Boat Race has been cancelled

State Power Minister M.M. Mani, who hails from Idukki, said, "Things are pretty bad and I have visited the affected areas, and on Thursday morning, the shutters of the Idamalyar dam was opened. We will open one shutter of the Idukki dam also." The Idukki dam's shutter was last opened in 1992.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2018 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).