KOCHI, India, August 15, 2018 (News Wires) -- The Cochin International Airport was on Wednesday closed till Saturday afternoon after water released from the Idukki dam flooded the area. Airport Director A.C.K. Nair called the development "unprecedented". "Why we decided to take this step is because since last night dams like Idukki, Mullaperiyar, Idamalayar have opened their shutters. The water released reaches the Periyar river and one of its tributaries flows close to the airport and it is overflowing, sending the waters to our operational area," said Nair. He pointed out that with more rains predicted in the coming days, it was decided to close down the airport operations. "Once the water recedes, it will take us 24 hours to clean up the area. Then only flights will resume. If the water level recedes faster than expected, then things might change. As of now we have decided to close down the airport till 2 p.m. of August 18," said Nair. Cochin airport is one of the three international airports in the state, besides being the busiest. It handled 10 million passengers during the 2017-18 fiscal. "Operations suspended to/from Cochin International Airport till 1400 hrs.due to flood level in and around Airport," an airport spokesperson said this morning. The death toll in Kerala rose to 45 on Wednesday, as the rains continued to wreak havoc across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation. For the first time in history, the state has opened 33 of its 39 dams. Spelling more trouble for Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government opened the sluice gates of the Mullaperiyar dam at 2.30 am on Wednesday to release excess water from the reservoir. Despite this, the water level touched 142 feet, its capacity, a little after noon on Wednesday. Authorities said water will also be released via its slipways. The water will flow down to the Idukki reservoir, which is already brimming with a storage of 2,398 feet — its maximum capacity if 2,403 feet. Rescue operations are underway across the state, and authorities are shifting people to relief camps. Residents of Manjumala, Kumily, Periyar, Upputhura and Ayyapankovil are being relocated, while the government has advised those living close to Periyar river in Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur to move to relief camps. Kerala helpline numbers: 0484 3053500, 2610094; here's how you can help those affected by the unprecedented rainfall
