12 additional NDRF teams rushed to the state
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Kottayam: Heavy rain and floods continue to lash Kerala, triggering landslides, inundating houses and roads and stranding people across the state.
At least 59 people were killed in two days.
Landslides were reported in Palakkad, Kozhikode and Thrissur.
Rain accompanied by gusty wind have been battering the tribal belt of Attappady in Palakkad since Wednesday.
One column of Military Engineering Task Force (ETF) landed in Kozhikode.
12 additional teams of NDRF comprising about 540 personnel being rushed to flood-hit Kerala to help in rescue and relief operations.
All educational institutions including professional colleges and Anganwadis in Kozhikode district will be shut Friday (August 17).
In various parts of Pathanamthitta, one of the most-affected districts in the second onslaught of rain this month, hundreds of people have been stranded.
Affected people from various parts of central Kerala especially, Ranni and Kozhencherry have been contacting the media since morning seeking help.
Water level in the Periyar has risen to dangerous levels near Aluva railway gate, prompting Railway authorities to restrict traffic on the route. Rail traffic has been temporarily suspended on the Ernakulam-Chalakudy route.
Many long-distance trains scheduled to start from Thiruvananthapuram have been cancelled.
The Travancore Devaswom Board which manages the hill shrine of Sabarimala has directed pilgrims not to visit the temple until water level in the Pamba comes down.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi again for a second time in two days. The PM has assured the state of all possible help.