Kerala is on high alert due to heavy rainfall in the state, with a red warning being issued in nine districts on Friday - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode. The state government has announced a holiday for all educational institutions, and over 26,000 people are in relief camps due to the flooding.
Massive evacuation, relocation and rescue by state and reserve forces are also ongoing in the state, with many people still stuck in their homes due to the flooding. Over 300 relief camps have been set up, and already have thousands of families in them, with most relief camps being in Wayanad.
Wayanad and Nilambur in Malappuram are the worst affected places; landslides have been reported from Pazhassi colony and Puthumala in Wayanad.
Kannur district is also receiving heavy rainfall, due to which water levels in Iritty and Irikkur rivers are rising. People living on their banks have been asked to relocate along with people in hilly areas as a precaution against landslides.
The Central Water Commission has cautioned that rivers in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode are likely to flood their banks, and residents living there should be on high alert.
As of August 8, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has confirmed that nine dams have been opened, namely, Maniyar dam (Pathanamthitta), Kundala dam (Munnar), Malankara dam (Thoduppuzha, Idukki), Peringalkuthu dam (Thrissur), Mangalam dam (Palakkad) and Kanjirapuzha dam (Palakkad), Kakkayam dam (Kozhikode), Kallarkutty dam (Idukki) and Pambla dam (Idukki).
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