Two killed in rains

Thiruvananthapuram, July 1 (UNI) The Monsoon rains today claimed two more lives in Kerala, taking the death toll in rain related incidents to 84, even as most places in the State received substantial rainfall.

In Kozhikode, one person was drowned in the Kuttiayadi river when his country boat capsized, sources said and added that in Kannur, Santhosh Santhosh (35) was killed at Kannur in a similar incident.

A minor landslide was experienced at Vinangad near Vadakara and it had caused damage to about a hectare of agricultural land. Eight families had been affected and four families had been shifted to safer places.

The bodies of two people, who were washed away in the Kalipuzha river in Kannur yesterday were traced today.

Meanwhile, the local Met office here warned of isolated heavy rains in Kerala and Lakshwadeep in the next 48 hrs. They also warned of strong onshore winds from the westerly direction with a speed reaching 45/50 kmph along the Kerala coast and over Lakshwadeep.

The highest rainfall of seven cm was recorded at Munnar, followed by Thalassery and Thirtala -- five cm each. Kannur, Karipur airport, Irikkur, Thrisur and Wadakanchery received a rainfall of three cm each, they said.

After the Monsoon rains hit the State, about 114 houses were completely destroyed and more than 18,000 houses had been damaged.

The crop loss in 93.62 hectare was estimated at Rs 38.84 crore, the sources added.

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