(UTV | INDIA) – At least 24 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages.
Five children are among the dead. There are fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing.
Several houses were washed away and people became trapped in the district of Kottayam in Kerala state.
Video from the area showed bus passengers being rescued after their vehicle was inundated with floodwater.
Kottayam and Idukki are two of the worst affected districts in the state. Days of heavy rainfall has also caused deadly landslides. Swollen rivers have washed away bridges connecting many small villages.
Besides the 24 recovered bodies, rescue teams are still looking for two missing persons – one in Idukki and one in Kottayam.
Military helicopters are being used to fly in supplies and personnel to areas where people are trapped, officials said.
Thousands of people have been evacuated and 184 relief camps have been set up across the state, where over 8,000 people are being provided food, bedding and clothing.
The government has also announced financial aid for those who have lost houses and crops.
It has also decided to leave the decision of opening of various dams in the state to an expert committee. In 2018, 400 people had died when heavy rains flooded the state. There was controversy over the fact that dams were opened without any warning to people living in low-lying areas.
Kerala’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told ministers and officials that the committee will decide which dams need be opened.
“District collectors will be notified hours before opening the dams so that local people have enough time to evacuate,” a statement from the chief minister’s office said.
Meanwhile, India’s meteorological department has predicted heavy, isolated rainfall in the state for three to four more days.
