Rains continue to lash Kerala; landslide toll touches 43

Kochi/Idukki: Rains continued to lash many parts of Kerala on Sunday amid predictions of extremely heavy rainfall in six districts, raising concerns of aggravated flood situation in low lying areas, even as the death toll in the recent massive landslide in Idukki district rose to 43 with 17 more bodies being retrieved from the debris.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Alappuzha districts.
Sounding a red alert, the IMD said these districts are likely to receive over 20 cms rain in the next 24 hours.
IMD officials said almost all districts north of Alappuzha are likely to receive over 20 cms rains. There is likely to be a reduction in rainfall from Tuesday, they said.
Three days after the settlements of estate workers were swept away by devastating landslides at Pettimudi near Rajamala, various agencies engaged in the rescue operations on Sunday recovered 17 bodies.
Despite adverse weather conditions in Pettimudi, rescue operations by NDRF, fire and police department personnel are continuing to recover bodies of more people feared trapped in the landslide. (PTI)