Holiday for select schools in Kottayam on Thursday

Kottayam flood
Heavy rain flooded low-lying areas in Kottayam. Photo: Manorama

Kottayam: The Kottyam collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions that are functioning as relief camps in the district on Thursday (July 26). Kottayam was one of the worst-affected in the torrential rain last week that wreaked havoc across the state.

Heavy rain lashed various parts of central Kerala on Wednesday, including Kottayam and Ernakulam. Authorities have warned that shutters of Idamalayar Dam in Ernakulam could be opened soon.

The Met department has forecast rain in various parts of Kerala till Thursday. Strong winds with speed of up to 50 kmph are likely to lash the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep, the IMD warned.

The torrential rain has claimed 49 lives in Kerala since July 9, in the second phase of the southwest monsoon, and nearly 1.10 lakh people are still staying in 486 relief camps mostly in worst-affected Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. Flood water is yet to recede in low-lying Kuttanad in Alappuzha district, considered the rice bowl of the state.

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