The flood situation continues to worsen in southern and western India in particular in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Over 180 people have now died in flood and rain-related incidents in these 4 states over the last few days.
Kerala
In Kerala 76 people have died and 58 are reported missing since this recent spate of flooding began around 08 August. Seventeen fatalities were reported in Kozhikode district, 12 in Wayanad and 24 in Malappuram. As many as 287,585 people have taken shelter in 1,654 relief camps.
Dozens died in massive landslides in Puthumala in Wayanad district and Nilambur in Malappuram district on 08 August. It is thought that 50 are still missing in Malappuram.
Vatakara (also Vadakara) in Kozhikode district recorded 300mm of rain in 24 hours to 10 August and 210 mm the following day. Further heavy rain is likely in the state and IMD has issued a red alert for Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad.
Karnataka
Flooding in Karnataka has now left 40 people dead and 400,000 displaced since it began earlier this month.
Further heavy rain has fallen over the last few days. Humchadakatte in Shimoga Distric recorded 390mm of rain in 24 hours to 10 August, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures. Kammardi in Shivamogga District recorded 230 mm of rain in 24 hours to 11 August, 2019.
India’s Central Water Commission (CWC) said on 11 August that the Tungabhadra river is at “Severe to Extreme Flood Situation” in the districts of Shivamogga, Koppal, Davangere, Ballari.
The Dudhganga river at Sadalga in Belgaum district is at a record high of 540.58 metres, beating the previous high of 538.9metres set in 2005.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, flooding has been reported in the districts of Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg after heavy rain that began last week. The flooding has affected 761 villages and displaced over 400,0000 people.
At least 35 people have died in rain and flood-related incidents in the state since last week. The death toll includes including 17 who drowned after a rescue boat capsized near in Sangli district on Thursday 08 August.
According to CWC, the Warna river at Samdoli in Sangli, the Krishna at Arjunwad in Sanglu and the Krishna at Kurunwad in Kolhapu are all at record levels.
Gujarat
Flooding has affected Gijuarat since the start of this month, when almost half a metre of rain fell in 24 hours in the city of Vadodara.
Further heavy rain fell in the state over the weekend 09 to 11 August. Barvala in Botad district recorded 380mm of rain in 24 hours to 10 August, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures. Naliya in Kutch District recorded 270mm the following day.
The Press Trust of India reported on 12 August that 31 people have now died in flood- and rain-related incidents, including 7 people who died in the flood waters of the Falku river in Vavdi village in the district of Surendranagar.
