The government has sought the assistance of army for relief operations following heavy rains and landslips in Idukki district. At least 11 persons had been killed in natural calamities in the district during the last two days.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy urged people after an urgent Cabinet meeting that discussed the rain havoc that travel to the hilly areas of the district should be avoided. About 200 km of roads in the district were not motorable owing to heavy rains and landslips. Earth had caved in over vehicles stranded at Cheeyanpara in the district.

The Chief Minister told the media that though the water level at the Mullaperiyar reservoir had crossed 133 feet from the base of the dam, there was no cause for panic. The Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu had been requested to make arrangements to draw maximum water from the dam.

Mr. Chandy said that Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash had already left for Idukki. The Cabinet would meet again on Tuesday to review the situation.