Sitrep-1 Landslide and Flash Flood in Kerala

Situation Report -1: Landslide and Flash Flood Incidents in Kerala 6th August, 2013

A. Current Situation :

Due to incessant rains lashing Kerala from last two days has resulted into landslide, flash flood and water logging in many places.

The government has issued an alert to the tourists heading towards hill stations in the state. A general advisory has been issued to the tourists to refrain from travelling to hill stations for another couple of days considering the incessant rains and possibility of land slides.

The water level in the Idukki dam had almost touched (only 1 feet remaining to be touched) the full level 2,403 ft. Once the Mullaperiyar dam reaches full level, water will flow down to the Idukki reservoir.

Neyyar dam’s water level stood at 84.6 metres where as the full reservoir level was 84.75 metres.

The water level in the Moozhiyar Dam had almost touched the full reservoir level (FRL) of 196.4 ft on Saturday evening.

20 dams were already opened to discharge the excess water.

B. Damage Assessment:

Districts affected Idukki, Kottayam , Allappy Eranakulam , Pathenmthitta , Thrisur

No of human lives lost 17 due to landslide and flash flood

No of injured 5 hospitalized

No of Missing People 20-30 People

• At least 20 people (approx)are suspected to have been trapped in the landslide that caused damage to buildings and vehicles

• 20 to 50 meters of the road is under debris and a few vehicles on the road have been washed away in the landslide.

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• The Nedumbassery airport has been closed for operations as water has seeped into the runway. Authorities have initiated measures to divert flights to other airports and bring Nedumbasser bound travelers by road or train.

• Important tourist destinations in the state, including Munnar, have got cut off from the rest of the state due to heavy landslides in the hill district of Idukki.

• Munnar town is submerged

• Idmalayar Dams shutters are open and due to this Periyar river is rising very dangerously . Many low lying areas near to Eranakulam , Kottayam, Pathanethitta are submerged

Source: The Hindu, other Media Reports and ESAF

C. Response from Government • Rescue work is carried out by police, fire service personnel and the locals and Kochi range Inspector general is reviewing the rescue works. • A team of police personnel from armed reserve camps in Ernakulam and Kottayam has been pressed into service. • Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has called for an emergency meeting of the cabinet ministers and top government officials in Thiruvananthapuram to take stock of the situation. • On the request from the State administration, Southern Naval Command has send two teams comprising 20 divers and four Gemini boats (rubber inflatable boats) to the island of Thuruthu at Aluva in Ernakulam district to provide assistance. A team is also being sent to Idukki District. • Seven control rooms have started functioning at vulnerable areas of the Mullaperiyar dam, as the water level is increasing. The control rooms were functioning at Kumily, Periyar, Elappara, Upputhara, and Manjumala village offices and at the Peerumade taluk office and the Vallakadavu forest office. • Government called for the assistance of Army for rescue operations and NDRF team is already left from Arkonam to Cochin. 2 teams of NDRF are involved in the search and rescue and other 2 teams are on their way. • Revenue and panchayat officials had identified educational institutions to operate relief camps, if needed. Loudspeakers had been installed at the control rooms. • 20,000 people hit by incessant rains and floods have been shifted to relief camps in Idukki as well as Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. • The government has allotted Rs 84 crore for urgent relief works in affected areas.

Source: Media Reports

D. Response by Humanitarian Agencies :

• Agencies are involved with local rescue operations.

E. IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

• Rescue

• Emergency medical assistance.

F. KEY CONTACTS:

Sl. Name Designation Mob: E-mail No. State level: 1. Roy K Alex Focal Point/Director, +91- [email protected] Programmes 9818637613 ESAF National level: Sphere India 2. Mr. Vikrant CEO, Sphere India +91- [email protected] Mahajan 9818666831 3. Ms. Chhemet Sphere India +91- [email protected] Lamo Coordinator 8130660269

Disclaimer: Sphere India makes every effort to verify the information contained in its Situation Reports. As the ground situation changes rapidly in emergency situations, users should check with concerned agencies before making any decisions based on the information provided in this report.