A rescue personnel (right) carries a child and runs across the Cheruthoni bridge in Idukki district. The bridge was inundated moments after this photo was taken. Photo by: Jipson Sikhera
Why the state got flooded
Normally, the Southwest Monsoon activity reduces in August. But this time, a low pressure system over Bay of Bengal and its move northwards led to vigorous monsoon conditions, explains IMD Thiruvananthapuram director K Santhosh.
“The monsoon happens in pulses. Usually, there is an active pulse for 7 to 10 days and then a lull for 5 days, after which it picks up again. This time, the active phase was longer than usual with heavy to very heavy rain, possibly increasing floods in catchment areas,” he says.
To the Rescue
The nerve centre of rescue and relief operations is Revenue Secretary PH Kurien’s office in Thiruvananthapuram, where a special coordination cell has been set up. A 15-member team from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority is working 24x7 in shifts at the office. WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter are being used to disseminate information and stay in the loop.
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Kurien is a member of 8 critical WhatsApp groups, including one with Government of India representatives and one updated regularly about the dam conditions.
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