Rain ravages Kerala, kills 23

A six-member team led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan headed off to the affected areas early on Saturday. He is being accompanied by revenue minister E Chandrasekharan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, state police chief Loknath Behra, chief secretary Tom Jose, and additional chief secretary (revenue) P H Kurien.

Manappuram Sree Mahadeva Temple in Aluva is submerged as Periyar River, fed by the water from Idukki Dam, inundated its banks. Photo: Indian Navy

Periyar River in spate crossing a bridge at Thadiyampadu, Idukki. Photo: Onmanorama

Periyar River in spate has inundated the banks. Photo: Onmanorama

Swollen Periyar River has inundated the banks and submerged the Aluva bridge. Photo: Indian Navy

Periyar River in spate has inundated the banks. Photo: Onmanorama

Attention: Pilgrims heading to Aluva for Vavu Bali via MC Road, avoid the Kalady area due to the flood situations

Read Also: Coast Guard, disaster response team on alert in Aluva for 'Vavu Bali'

Thrippara Thrikovil temple premises are submerged as Achankovil River flooded its banks. Photo: Nikhilraj P

Thrippara Thrikovil temple premises are submerged as Achankovil River flooded its banks. Photo: Nikhilraj P

Achankovil River floods the premises of Valamchuzhy devi temple. Photo: Nikhilraj P

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at Aluva to ensure the safety and security of people expected assemble for the Karkkidaka Vavu Bali.

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Periyar River is flowing in its full glory after the opening of all the five shutters of Cheruthoni dam | Watch video

A navy boat, which was engaged in rescue operations on Panamaram River at Neerattadi in Wayanad, capsized. Four of the five navy personnel swam to safety while a commander and a local guide took refuge on a tree nearby. The Fire and Rescue Department have been alerted of the situation.

The Indian Navy has put on alert its Southern Naval Command in view of the rising water level in Periyar River

Death toll at 27

Army has deployed three columns comprising about 75 personnel each in flood-hit areas of Kerala

Additional four NDRF teams rushed to Ernakulam.

Heavy rain in Sabarimala, Pampa River in spate - shops along the banks flooded

Home minister Rajnath Singh to visit Kerala on Sunday, will visit flood-hit areas

Home minister Rajnath Singh to visit Kerala on Sunday, will visit flood-hit areas

The CIAL in a statement said that all airport operations were going on smoothly. No services were cancelled, it added.

One more person, Jinu, dies in Kambilikandam, Idukki: Death toll rises to 26

Kerala police chief Lokanth Behera has said that all stations were equipped to deal with flood situation. Behera also urged the public to desist from spreading rumors or fake messages through social media.

More image of rain havoc in Thamarassery, Kozhikode

Also read: Rain fury | Holiday for schools in several districts today

Authorities said that the roads in Idukki will remain closed to tourist and heavy vehicle traffic till further orders

2 more Cheruthoni dam shutters in Idukki opened at 7 am Friday

People being evacuated in rain-hit Kochi

Death toll rises to 25

Also read: US asks its citizens not to visit rain-hit Kerala

Rain fury: Schools shut in several districts on Friday

As we wind up for the night, our thoughts are with those who lost their dear ones and those who were forced to move away to relief camps abandoning their homes.

NOTE: In distress situations, do not panic, follow instructions from the authorities. 

Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy discusses the situation in Kerala with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Assures all the assistance and allocates Rs 10 crore for disaster management in Kerala.

A boulder fell on the road to Kakkayam dam in Kozhikode destroying it completely. Officers, who went to inspect the dam, is stuck at the other end.

Prime minister Narendra Modi and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan interact on the phone. Centre offers all the assistance and support to the rain-ravaged state.

In the wake of opening of Edamalayar, Idukki dam shutters, the police have imposed strict measures for the offering of obeisance to ancestors on the occasion of Karkidaka Vavu on August 11. The deputy superintendent of police have advised people to do the offering from the banks alone.

Pampa River flowing in its full glory flooding the banks at Thriveni after the shutters of Anathode dam was opened in the evening. Photo: Nikhilraj P

Pampa River flowing in its full glory flooding the banks at Manappuram area after the shutters of Anathode dam was opened in the evening. Photo: Nikhilraj P

Holiday for schools in worst hit areas in Malappuram

Holiday declared for educational institutions, excluding professional colleges, in Nilambur, Edavanna, Orngatteri, Areekode,Kizhuparamba, Pandikkad, Vazhakkadu, Vazhayur, Muthuvallur, Cheekode in Malappuram district. Exams, scheduled for tomorrow, will be conducted without any change.

Friday will be a holiday for all education institutions, including professional colleges, CBSE, ICSE, ISE, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Anganwadis, in Kothamangalam, Aluva, Paravur, Kunnathunadu and Kadamakkudy.

The all-India trade test by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) at Ernakulam and Idukki ITIs scheduled for August 10, 11 postponed. New dates will be announced later.