Monsoon vigorous, toll up at 19

Thiruvananthapuram, May 31 (UNI) Eight people were killed and one washed away today in the torrential rains that continued to wreak havoc on the state forcing thousands of people to relief camps and damaging standing crops and houses.

The toll rose to 19 as rains lashed the state under the influence of the South West Monsoon. Sources said two persons each were killed in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam while one person each died in Kottayam, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kannur districts.

Another person was washed away at Karukachal in Kottayam district.

As many as 10,000 people were shifted to relief camps as coastal and low lying areas continued to be under the threat of sea erosion and flood.

In Alappuzha district, 44 new relief camps were opened and about 7,000 people shifted. Nine relief camps were opened at Ernakulam.

About 2,700 houses were damaged, some of them completely, with Alapuzha topping the list. About 641 houses suffered damage in Alapuzha, 438 in Ernakulam, 255 in Kottayam, 230 in Pathanamthitta 201 in Malappuram, 156 in Kozhikode, 129 in Kannur, 128 in Wayanad, 88 in Thiruvananthapuram, 54 in Kasargode, 52 in Thrissur and 27 in Palakkad.

The agricultural loss had been calculated to be to the tune of Rs six crore, with Kozhikode suffering the highest loss of about Rs 1.43 crore followed by Malappuram (Rs 1.40 cr), Wayanad (Rs 82 lakh), Alapuzha (Rs 69 lakh), Pathanamthitta (Rs 42 lakh), Kasargode (Rs 38 lakh), Kottayam (Rs 30 lakh) Ernakulam (Rs 15 lakh) and Idukki (Rs 10 lakh).

Meanwhile, the State Cabinet, at its meeting today, decided to provide free ration for two weeks to fishermen and tribals affected by the rains.

Yesterday, the government had announced Rs six crore as immediate relief for monsoon-related calamities.

The South West Monsoon which struck Kerala last week continued to be vigorous, with heavy to very heavy rains lashing almost all places. Ameni recorded the highest rainfall of 18 cm followed by Agathi with 17 cm, the Met office said.

Munnar and Kodungaloor recorded 15 cm rains. Kochi, Kumarakom, Kozha Chalakudi and Chertala received nine cm each followed by Alwaye, Kunnamkulam, Thodupuzha and Thrissur (eight cms each).

Alappuzha, Punalur, Thiruvalla and Varkala recorded seven cms each.

The Met office warned of isolated heavy rains and said strong onshore winds with a speed of 50/60 kmph was expected along the Kerala coast and Lakshwadeep.

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