Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday postponed Saturday's annual Nehru Trophy boat race in Alappuzha in view of heavy showers forecast.
Speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan said rains have caused extensive damage to life and properties across the state. "We have sought six additional teams of National Disaster Response Force," he added. The toll in rain-related deaths in Kerala touched 20 on Thursday.
Vijayan said the deaths includes 11 from Idukki, six from Malappuram, two in Kozhikode and one from Wayanad.
"Since more rains are in forecast, as a matter of abundant caution, it has been decided to postpone the upcoming Nehru boat race on the Punnamada lake. The new dates will be announced by the organisers," said Vijayan.
At 12.30pm, after a gap of 26 years, one shutter of the Idukki dam was opened as part of a trial run and to assess the flow of water. The shutters will be closed after four hours.
The shutters of the Idamalayar dam was also opened early on Thursday morning.