Kerala rains: Kochi Airport closed; govt cancels official Onam celebrations

The death toll in Kerala rains has increased to 44 after five people died on Wednesday in building collapse due to rain in different cities

With heavy rains and landslides pounding Kerala for more than a week now, the state government has cancelled the official Onam celebrations for this year, which was expected to take place from Wednesday to Monday. The Mullaiperiuar dam was opened earlier on Wednesday, and more water is being released to the rivers resulting in further flood. As a precautionary measure, Kochi Airport has suspended operations till 2 pm on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his Independence Day speech, said the state was facing its worst-ever disaster. According to reports, the death toll has increased to around 44, after five