Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is witnessing one of the most severe floods in years. Though the rains had taken a break in several areas on Tuesday morning, they returned with full vigour by nightfall. Flood waters have submerged houses, shops and destroyed crops. Tens of thousands of people have been shifted to relief camps.

At least 12 people have died and six reported missing in rain-related incidents after the monsoon became active on July 9. In the second spell of rains, around 36 houses were completely destroyed while 1,214 suffered partial damage, officials said.

Among the victims are Thoovantharayil Babu, 62, of Eramathur, Chennithala, who drowned after his fibre boat capsized while tending ducks in Alappuzha and Thengumvilayil Ramakrishnan, 62, of Mavelikkara who fatally fell in the floodwaters. Allen, 15, of Peruva, Vaikom in Kottayam, also drowned in the rising waters.

At Malappuram, Eruthodi Narayanan, 68, of Melattur was electrocuted after he came into contact with a snapped power line. In Kottayam, the body of Ambalaveettil Deepu, 28, of Koruthode was recovered from Azhutha River. He had been missing from Mundakkayam a day ago.

Meanwhile, the rain has intensified in Kottayam. Several areas at Pala, Kumarakom, Ettumanur, Kuravilangad, Vaikom and Changanasseri are submerged. People are stranded in their houses at many places. Bus services have been cancelled on almost all routes. No private vehicles are seen on the roads.

A similar situation exists in Alappuzha district too.

The meteorological department has forecast winds of 35-45 kmph speeds from the west along Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts. The speed may go up to 60 kmph, it said. High waves of 3.5 m to 4.9 m are likely. The sea will be rough and fishermen have been warned not to venture out to the deep for the next 24 hours.

Heavy rainfall predicted in Kerala till Friday

The southwest monsoon had demonstrated a massive surge above normal right from the start. Barring a few days between July 2 and 7, it had sustained an abnormal intensity.

A high-level meeting, chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan with district collectors through video conference, reviewed the flood situation in the state on Monday. The CM asked district authorities to dispense the compensation to flood-affected people without any delay.

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