Storm kills one, causes loss worth Rs.68 lakh

Even as drinking water scarcity looms large in the city, heavy rains lashed the rural parts of the district on Sunday, claiming one life and causing a total loss of Rs.68.84 lakh to property and agriculture.

Sunday witnessed a thunderstorm in the outskirts and one person was killed after being struck by lightening.

Victim identified

The victim has been identified as K.P. Sunil Kumar, a resident of Avadinelloor in Koyilandy taluk.

In an official statement released on Monday, District Collector C.A. Latha said that the district suffered agricultural losses to the tune of Rs.33 lakh and 147 houses were partially destroyed in the thunderstorm.

Over 225 farmers were affected in Omassery, Ulliyeri and Kattippara areas of the district, she said. In Thamarassery, two houses were completely destroyed and 30 partially. In Koyilandy and Vadakara taluks, 31 and 86 houses were partially destroyed.

KWA tap points

District authorities said Kerala Water Authority public tap points would be opened in Kulimadukunnu, Malaparamba, and Kovoor to help villagers combat drinking water issues.

Tanker lorries

Tanker lorries with hygiene certificates from the Health Department or the city Corporation could fill up water from the tap points for public distribution under the supervision of the respective village officers.

Sanitation programme

District Suchitwa Mission, in co-ordination with the Health Department, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and local self-governing bodies department would launch a special public sanitation and water conservation awareness programme on May 6 called ‘Mazhakilukkam’. The project would see concerted moves on the part of various government departments to identify hotspots of contagious diseases in villages and neutralise them.

Relief

Each ward under all 75 panchayats in the district would be allowed Rs.25,000.

The District Collector said that the past experiences showed that ward sanitation funds were not used productively. The directions would hence be passed to village offices to ensure people’s participation in sanitation drives.