Monsoon active in Kerala; toll rises

Thiruvananthapuram, July 3 (UNI) Three people were killed and several houses damaged in the torrential rains, triggered by the Southwest monsoon, which lashed several parts of Kerala.

Two children Gayathri (16) and Anilkumar (7) were killed when their house collapsed in the torrential rains at Devikulam in Idukki district, sources said.

They said the body of Ramshed (19), who was washed away in Gulikapuzha river in Kozhikode district, was recovered today.

With three more deaths today, the toll in the monsoon related incidents rose to 87, they said.

As the monsoon continued to be vigorous, the coastal regions and the low-lying areas were under the threat of sea erosion and flood.

Report of erosion caused by the sea came in from many places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kochi. No new relief camps were opened and there were about 451 people in camps opened at different parts of the state.

More than ten houses were completely damaged and 70 were partially damaged, they said and added that about 124 houses were completely destroyed and more than 18,000 houses damaged after the monsoon hit the state. The crop loss was estimated at about Rs 40 crore.

In Thiruvananthapuram, trees were uprooted following strong winds, blocking traffic at many places. Power supply was cut off in the city as electric cables were snapped at many places with the uprooting of trees and electric poles.

Noting that the southwest monsoon was active over Kerala and Lakshadweep, the Met office here warned of isolated heavy rain and strong onshore winds with a speed of 50-60 kmph from the westerly direction along the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep.

It said the highest rainfall of 11 cm was recorded at Mananthawadi followed by Mannarkad and Munnar seven cm each.

Six cm of rain was received at Karipur airport and Irikkur.

The Met office said Manjeri, Palakkd and Thrissur got five cm each rainfall.

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