Hindustan Times: A red alert across Kerala was withdrawn on Sunday even as heavy rain battered Chengannur, Pathna-mthitta, Aluva and Adoor this morning hampering efforts to rescue marooned people.
The alert has been downgraded to amber for 10 districts, and yellow for 2 districts.
The Indian Navy has scaled up its rescue efforts – Operation Madad – which is in its 10th day. Southern Naval Command (SNC) rescue teams have been augmented by Gemini boats, divers and other resources from both Eastern and Western Naval Commands of the Indian Navy.
The Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also involved in rescue operations to save lives.
A senior official on Saturday said that with many areas reeling under food and power shortage, and thousands still awaiting evacuation despite a massive relief and rescue operation.
Lakhs of people are now in relief camps across Kerala but there is no official figure of an exact count. Over 33 people died in the state on Saturday alone taking the toll to 243 since August 8.
A rescue boat with six rescuers has been reported missing in Pandanad area of Chenganur Saturday night. It is not known if any evacuees were on the boat.
On Saturday, the Central Railway flagged off a tanker train from Pune with 14 lakh litres of drinking water to Kerala. The special water train will reach Kayamkulam in Kerala via Daund, Wadi and Renugunta, said Milind Deouskar, Divisional Railway Manager, Pune Division, said.
Incessant rain, floods and landslides have destroyed agriculture crops in over 40,000 hectares have been, officials said. More than 1,000 houses have been completely destroyed and 26,000 have suffered partial damage, they said.
Officials also said 134 bridges and 16,000 km of roads were also completely destroyed, causing a total loss of Rs 21,000 crore.
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