Kerala Rains Live: Thrissur gets highest rainfall for the day as toll rises to 21

21 people died and over a dozen were missing on Saturday as heavy rains pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts of the state. NDRF and Army personnel are conducting search and rescue operations. The Centre is "continuously monitoring" the situation and has assured the state all the help it needs. Stay tuned for updates.

Heart-wrenching sight as bodies of mother, child hugging recovered beneath landslide debris in Kerala

Rescue operations at landslide-hit regions —Kottayam and Idukki — in Kerala on Sunday witnessed heart-wrenching scenes with bodies of a mother and children found huddledtogether. A childin itscradlewas foundbeneath the debris, another life lost to the devastating rain.

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Flash floods, landslides in Kerala caused by Mini cloudburst events, claims expert

The brief, intense rain spells in a couple of regions in Kerala indicated mini cloudbursts, a factor that also led to casualties, damage and loss of properties, a scientist at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) claimed on Sunday.

Citing more than 5 cm rain received in two hours in worst affected areas of Idukki and Kottayam districts, S Abhilash of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, CUSAT said it was a "mesoscale mini-cloudburst type of event".

Mini cloud bursts are marked by intense short spells which may not exceed 10cm in one hour-a classical definition by India Meteorological Department, he noted.

Despite floods in 2018 and 2020, Madhav Gadgil's Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report of 2011 yet to be implemented: Jairam Ramesh

At 81mm, Thrissur received highest rainfall in Kerala since 8:30 am today

Isolated heavy rainfall in Kerala likely from October 20, to continue for at least three days: IMD

PM Modi speaks to CM Vijayan on floods, landslides; says deaths saddening

Death toll due to heavy rains, landslides stands at 21: Kerala Public Information Dept

While 13 individuals have lost their lives so far in Kottayam district, eight have been killed in Idukki.

Another landslide in Kottayam district, rescue operations still under way

Three more bodies recovered from Idukki landslide site: Kerala government

Yellow alert for Kerala, severe weather expected across India over next four days: IMD

NDRF carries out Search and rescue operation at affected areas in Idukki district

A day after torrential rains, heart-wrenching scenes in Kerala's high ranges

Many hapless families in Koottickal in Kerala's Kottayam suffered severe destruction and human casualty due to a series of landslips

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Continuously monitoring the situation in Kerala: Amit Shah

11 NDRF teams to be deployed in Kerala for rains, flood rescue

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 11 teams to be deployed in south and central parts of Kerala which are pounded by heavy rains.

NDRF director general S N Pradhan said in a tweet that the teams are being sent "in view of red alert for rainfall and possible flooding/water logging in several districts of Kerala."

One team each will be deployed in Malappuram, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Kottayam, Kannur and Kollam while two teams will be stationed at Idukki. (PTI)

At least six people died and over a dozen were missing on Saturday as heavy rains pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in many parts, prompting the state government to seek the assistance of the defence forces for rescue operations. In one of the heavy rains in recent years, the high ranges of central and south Kerala are experiencing almost similar to that of the situation the state faced during the time of devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 but authorities said everything was under control and there was no need for any panic.