TRIVANDRUM, 10 July — Heavy rains over three days have killed 21 people and damaged property worth at least 30 million rupees across Kerala.
An official said yesterday, at least 74 people have been killed in floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in eastern and southern India over the past few weeks. They said 66 people have been killed in the southern state of Kerala alone in the monsoon season, which began in June.
Rains lashed Kerala over Saturday and Sunday, damaging more than 1,000 houses and several acres of plantations. The worst affected districts are Trissur and Kannur, with damage to property in the latter alone being estimated at more than 10 million rupees.
Kannur district chief V. Venu said, “The most affected are Cherupuzha and Taliparambu. If one sees the damage done to the rubber trees in these areas, it looks like as if it was a tornado.” Venu said the extent of loss suffered by the agricultural sector is still being calculated.
The hill district of Idukki has also been badly hit and several landslides triggered by the heavy rains have virtually left several parts cut off, with vehicles unable to ply.
Deaths have been reported from Idukki, Kannur, Palakkad and Kollam. With rains forecast again, people in the hill districts have been alerted.
The A.K. Antony government has already announced the formulation of a disaster management plan. Revenue Minister K.M. Mani said he has been in constant touch with the district administration and relief works have started in the affected areas.
“Roughly about 1,000 houses, mostly huts, have been damaged and several places in Kerala are witnessing floods. I have instructed all concerned to see that those who have lost the huts be temporarily shifted to schools and they would be provided food and shelter,” he said.
Mani said those who had suffered losses would be adequately compensated. “Our first aim is to see that they are provided shelter and those ill be given medical aid. The exact loss could be ascertained only after all the 14 district chiefs submit detailed reports,” he said. The weather office has said Kerala will receive more heavy rain in the coming 48 hours.
Rain cripples Bombay
Meanwhile, heavy overnight rain crippled normal life in Bombay yesterday.
Transport services were disrupted as rain water flooded low-lying areas of the city, leaving office-goers stranded during the morning rush hour. The Fire Department reported a host of calls about electrical short circuits and uprooted trees.
Suburban railway officials said train services were “severely hit.” “Trains are late by about an hour at least. The railway tracks are under water in several districts. The harbor line is non-operational,” said a spokesman at the railway control room. Police said road traffic was also hit as rain water had flooded several arterial roads.
Several schools declared a holiday, while offices reported thin attendance.
