Kerala's Kochi airport extended its suspension of all flight operations till Saturday afternoon following flooding of its runways and the parking area. Flights are being diverted to other airports. Train services are also affected with many trains delayed and cancelled.
The torrential rainfall, which has forced the state's reservoirs to release excess water causing flooding and landslides, was expected to stop today. But the Met office has said it is likely to continue till Saturday. A red alert has been issued for several districts today and tomorrow. Forty-two people have died since August 8 in incidents related to what has turned out to be the state's worst monsoon in almost a century.
Meanwhile, in view of the worst devastation in nearly a century suffered by Kerala due to rains and floods, the government on Tuesday cancelled this year's Onam celebrations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced.
The harvest festival is celebrated across the state.
The Kerala government, which had earmarked Rs. 30 crore for the cultural events to be held all across the state, decided to divert that amount to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
The week-long festivities were to take place in August -- with the Thiru Onam falling on August 25.
"What has occurred in our state has been the worst ever (disaster). A total of 444 villages have been affected.
"The money set aside for Onam will be used for relief. We seek everyone's help in our efforts," Mr Vijayan told the media after a cabinet meeting.
Source : NDTV
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