Kerala Floods: Situation Continues To Remain Grim As Death Toll Rises To 87, Kochi Airport Shut Till 26 August

The situation in Kerala continues to remain grim as death toll due to flooding has risen to 87, Matrubhumi reports. The natural calamity has seen widespread property and life loss in the state, with 20 new death being reported from areas like Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Thrissur, till Thursday afternoon.

The flooding has also resulted in the decision being taken to close the Kochi airport till 26 August, reports Manorama Online. The airport has borne the brunt of rising waters in the Periyar river. This has resulted in waterlogged runways and authorities say this it is impractical to pump out the water as the whole area remains flooded.

Schools across the state would remain closed from Friday (17 August) till 28 August, and various universities have postponed their examinations.

The problem for Kerala has been that it received 37.5 per cent additional rainfall during the current south-west monsoon from 1 June to 15 August. As per records, Kerala is witnessing such a scenario of floods for the first time in 100 years. In particular, the state has received rainfall over the last 4-5 weeks with daily rain being nearly 100 mm in some areas. More importantly, the state’s reservoirs have filled to the capacity forcing the authorities to open the floodgates at 24 dams.