Thiruvananthapuram: Rains from the South West Monsoon continued to lash Kerala on Friday.
While six people lost their lives in rain-related incidents on Thursday, two drowning cases were reported in the state on Friday. A two-year-old lost her life after falling into a pool of water in Punnayurkulam, Thrissur and the body of a Plus Two student, who went missing in Cheruparambu river of Panoor of Kannur district, was recovered on Friday. Body of his friend was also found on Thursday. While a 52-year-old man was killed after being washed away in flash floods in Malappuram. In Alappuzha, Babu (61) drowned in a Pond.
Meanwhile, a young man drowned in the sea after being swept away by strong waves on a beach near Kozhikode's Koyilandy.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which expects the monsoon rain to abate today, has issued an orange alert in Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.
A road block due to landslide has been reported from Munnar that the district officials said is being removed to facilitate transportation.
The Thrissur district administration informed that the shutters of the Peringalkuthu Dam will be opened today and warned the people living on the banks of Chalakkudy river to remain cautious as the water level may rise as a result.
Holiday
The collectors of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts have declared a holiday in all educational institutions including professional colleges. A holiday was also declared for Karthikappally, Chengannur and Kuttanad taluks in Alappuzha, and Ponnani Taluk in Malappuram.
Dam shutters opened
The shutters of some dams like Malankara Dam in Idukki district were opened during the day 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. However, in many other dams and reservoirs of the state, the situation was normal and no water was being released from them, according to details given by various district administrations. The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued flood warnings for various rivers, like Meenachil, Manimala, Achankovil and Pampa, as water has been rising above the danger levels. The CWC also cautioned those living on the shores of these rivers to be vigilant as the rains are expected to continue and therefore, the water levels might rise even further.
112 relief camps
Meanwhile, the state disaster management authority (SDMA) informed that more relief camps have been opened in the state.
"Yesterday, there were 112 camps with over 6,500 people across the state. Today, the number of relief camps have been increased to 186. The total number of people are yet to be ascertained," SDMA authorities said.
It also said 41 houses were fully damaged while 818 houses have been partially damaged across the state as per the latest figures.
