Rain fury in Kerala causes Massive damage and deaths

By Our Special Correspondent

The southwest monsoon unleashed its fury in the state on Monday, lashing large areas of central and southern Kerala with heavy rains, triggering minor landslides and flashfloods, especially in the higher ranges.

Seven deaths have been reported in the state in the last 24 hours. Five houses were destroyed and 55 houses were damaged.

In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday, Pathanamthitta recorded the highest rainfall of 15 cm, followed by Idukki and Kollam (9 cm each) and Kottayam (8 cm).

Three members of the same family were killed when their car fell into a river at Mallapally in Pathananthitta district during heavy rain. Another resident of Pathanamthitta has gone missing after being swept away by the strong current in the Pampa River adjacent to Atikayam village. One person died after drowning in a fast flowing stream near Kollamulla village.

In Kollam, a 50-year-old man died after getting caught in the water flow at Kumbavu Urutty falls at Acchankovil in Aryankavu village. In Kottayam, relatives have reported that a man has gone missing after falling into a flood canal. A youth is missing after his excursion boat capsizes in Ponnani river in Malappuram.

In Vijayaheenam, a fisherman from Tamil Nadu died when his boat was overturned by high waves. He has been identified as Kingston (27).

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that at least five houses in Kerala have become uninhabitable and another 55 houses have been partially damaged due to heavy rains.

One each in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Thrissur and Wayanad and two relief camps in Kottayam have been opened. About 90 people were moved to these camps. He announced that a 24-hour Disaster Relief Control Room (8078548538) has been set up at the State Emergency Operations Centre. Besides, control rooms will be opened in all districts and taluks.

Police, revenue officials, local self-government bodies, volunteer rescue teams, civil defense units and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been put on high alert.

Mr. Vijayan directed them to evacuate people living in areas prone to floods and landslides to safer ground or relief camps. He also liaises with the Army, Air Force and Navy for assistance and relief measures if required.

NDRF teams have been kept ready in Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Thrissur. Four more teams will be deployed in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam and Malappuram.

Mr. Vijayan, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Vijay Sakhare and ADGP of Armed Police Battalions, M.R. Ajith Kumar was tasked with coordinating the rain preparations.

Briefing the media on the situation, he said that the state has barely recovered from catastrophic floods in 2018 and 2019, when another weather event posed a significant threat to the people.

Mr. Vijayan said that the power and irrigation departments are monitoring the water level in the dams. “Some minor irrigation dams are releasing small quantities of water. Most of the water in the hydel power dams is within the safety limit,” he said. He urged people to avoid night travel especially in rough terrains and hilly areas.