KOCHI/THIRVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's Kochi airport extended its suspension of all flight operations till Saturday afternoon after its runway and parking area got flooded. Train services have also been affected, with many trains being delayed and cancelled. The torrential rain -- which forced the state to release excess water from reservoirs, causing floods downstream -- 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 turned out to be the state's worst monsoon in almost a century.
- The airport was shut early in the morning as the authorities found it impossible to continue flight operations. The closure was expected to continue till 2 pm. M
- Later in the day, a spokesperson of the airport said, "Kochi airport operations temporarily suspended till 18th Saturday 2 PM since the inflow of water is still on a raising trend. We are working hard to drain out the storm water". It is not known if the airport or the runway is flooded.
- The decision to suspend the operations was taken after all the shutters of two dams of the Idukki water reservoir were reopened last evening to release excess water.
- Authorities are maintaining a close vigil especially in Idukki district as the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were also opened at 2.35 am after its water-level crossed 140 feet.
- Hundreds of people living on the banks of Periyar river were shifted before the gates were opened.
- In view of the destruction caused by the rain and floods, the state has cancelled the Onam celebrations, slated for this month.The Pinarayi Vijayan government has diverted Rs. 30 crore, meant for cultural events, to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
- Tourists have been asked to stay away from the popular hill station of Munnar in Idukki district, which remained flooded on Tuesday. Except for official vehicles, no other vehicles are allowed to enter the town. People have also been asked not to visit the Sabarimala hill shrine as the water level in the rain-fed Pampa river is high.
- With almost all rivers in spate, landslides and flooding continue to be reported from several districts of the state including Idukki, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Malappuram.
- Cheruthoni town in Idukki, one of the worst-affected areas, faces the threat of flooding with rising water levels. Ranni town in Pathanamthitha has been inundated.
- The rain, which got heavy from August 8, is said to have caused the worst damage to Kerala since 1924. Over 60,000 people are in relief camps and the damages to crops and properties is estimated to be over Rs. 8,000 crore.
