Rain causes widespread damage in Kerala; 6 people dead, several displaced

Thiruvananthapuram/Malappuram/Kozhikode/Wayanad: Rain continued to throw life out of gear in Kerala on Thursday with incidents of landslides, landslips, seat attack and waterlogging reported from across the state. 

With the rain intensifying after a brief lull, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in Kannur and Kasaragod districts and orange alert in seven other districts. (A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rains of 6 cm to 20 cm of rain.) 

Six people died in rain-related incidents during the day. Casualties were reported from Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts. The deceased are Muhammad Nihal (17) of Maniyoor in Kozhikode, Bhanukurumban (73) of Aymanam and Aditya Biju of Changanassery in Kottayam, Chandran of Parassala and Akshay (15) of Aryanad in Thiruvananthapuram, Sasi Chandran (63) of MAvelikkara in Alappuzha.

Hundreds were displaced from their homes, damaged by uprooted trees, or flooded by rising river water. They were forced to take shelter in the relief camps.

A few families were shifted to relief camps following landslides in Kappimala village in Taliparamba taluk of Kannur district.

Coastal areas also suffered as a result of the bad weather with a stormy sea entering into homes at various places, especially in Kannamaly area of Ernakulam where residents demanded that the government put up a tetrapod wall to prevent seawater from entering their houses and eroding the coast.

A similar demand was made by residents living in the coastal area of Ponnani in Malappuram district. State Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan said the situation in many coastal areas was serious and that the chief minister has directed that appropriate steps be taken.

Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, State Revenue Minister K Rajan said the issue of coastal erosion was discussed by the Cabinet on Wednesday and the irrigation department was directed to sanction funds and take necessary steps to carry out urgent work.

The shutters of some dams like Malankara Dam in Idukki district were opened to release water downstream, following heavy rains in their catchment area.

Water was also released from Kallarkutti and Lower Periyar reservoirs in Idukki, Kuttiyadi dam in Kozhikode, Maniyar Barrage in Pathanamthitta, Pazhassi Barrage in Kannur and Bhoothathankettu Dam in Ernakulam districts of the state.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued flood warnings for various rivers, like Meenachil, Manimala, Achankovil and Pampa, as the water was rising above the danger levels.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) also issued warnings cautioning people against tourism and trekking in hilly areas or entering water bodies and rivers.

In Malappuram, 38 houses were partially due to rain. Kondotty (18) and Eranad (24) were the worst affected taluks. 

The district administration has opened a second camp at Ponnani AV HSS as part of a precautionary measure. The rescue mission is still on to find the two missing persons in the Kunthipuzha at Amarambalam.

With the possibility of flood, the Kozhikode district collector advised caution people living on the banks of Poonoorpuzha.

Eighteen residents from Ventekkumpoyil tribal colony, which is prone to landslides, were shifted to safe shelters on Thursday.

The rain continued to cause widespread destruction in Wayanad. Several houses were damaged and walls collapsed following incessant rains in Kalpetta and Vythiri.

At Noolppuzha, seven families were relocated after Puzhankuni tribal settlement was isolated when the water level in the Noolppuzha River rose. 

With the rain subsiding, there was no reason to worry, said district collector Renu Raj.

(With PTI inputs)