HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND FLOODING HAVE BATTERED THE STATES OF KARNATAKA, MAHARASHTRA AND KERALA. A RED ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED IN 9 DISTRICTS OF KERALA AND THE STATE HAS CALLED I REINFORCEMENTS OF CENTRAL FORCES TO AID WITH THE RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS. WAYANAD WITNESSED DEVASTATING LANDLSIDE, WHICH SWEPT WAY SEVERAL HOUSES, PROMPTING RAHUL GANDHI THE MP FROM THE AREA TO SEEK HELP FROM THE CENTRE. AT LEAST 13,000 PEOPLE ARE BEING SHELTERED IN RELIEF CAMPS ACROSS THE STATE. THE KOCHI AIRPORT IS SHUT AND TRAINS SERVICES DELAYED. SCHOOLS TOO ARE CLOSED FOR TODAY.