Heavy rains, landslides claim 22 lives in Kerala in past 24 hours

The Indian Army, Navy and National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in various parts of Kerala

The heavy south-west monsoon and landslides have resulted in the deaths of 22 people in Kerala in the past 24 hours.  

On Thursday, the state government opened the Idukki Dam's shutters for the first time in around 26 years, as a trial run, causing flooding on the banks of the river.  

According to reports, at least 22 people, including 10 in the Idukki district, have died in various rain-related incidents, including landslides, on Thursday. The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has said that arrival operations have been stopped from 1.10 pm on Thursday as a precautionary measure.