Monsoon active in Kerala; four killed

Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 (UNI) Four persons were killed and two went missing in rain-related incidents today, taking the death toll since the Southwest Monsoon hit the Kerala coasts to 82.

In Thrissur, Kozha (70) was killed when a tree fell on her house in the torrential rains, while Raghavan Achary (62) was killed in a similar incident at Edakad in Kannur.

Two persons were killed in Kottayam and Malappuram and details were being awaited, sources said.

About ten houses were completely destroyed and 212 houses partially damaged yesterday in the rains, they said.

After the monsoon hit the state, about 114 houses were completely destroyed and over 18,000 houses damaged. Crop loss in 93.62 hectare was estimated at Rs 38.84 crore.

Meanwhile, the local met office here said the South West Monsoon was active, with rains lashing most places in the state and a few places in Lakshwadeep.

Highest rainfall of 12 cm was recorded at Mananthawadi followed by Kannur, 11 cm. Karipur airport and Koilandi got 10 cm each.

Kochi, Irikkur and Vadakara had rain of eight cm while Thalassery, Perinthalmanna, Ottapalam and Kollengode had seven cm.

The Met office also warned of isolated rains in Kerala and Lakshwadeep in the next 24 hrs. It said strong onshore winds from the westerly direction with a speed of 45/55 kmph was likely along on and off the coast of Kerala and over Lakshwadeep.

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