At least 13 people are feared killed and over 400 houses damaged in rain-related incidents over the last two days in Kerala as the Southwest monsoon triggered heavy showers in parts of the State.
According to information from the State control room, four people died on Sunday, two in Thiruvananthapuram and one each in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. Widespread damage to crops and property was reported from Idukki, Kozhikode, and Kannur districts.
One person died after he came in contact with a power line that snapped in strong winds at Neyyattinkara in the capital while another drowned in a river in Alappuzha. An eight-year-old was reportedly killed at Mallappally in Pathanamthitta after she was caught under a falling coconut tree. Another person was killed at Kattayikonam in Thiruvananthapuram, taking the toll on Sunday to four.
Revenue officials said most of the deaths occurred due to drowning in rivers and lakes and falling trees.
As many as 19 houses were destroyed and 408 damaged in various districts on Sunday.
Landslips and uprooted trees disrupted traffic at several places in the high ranges of Idukki district. Heavy sea erosion was also reported from coastal areas.
A relief camp was opened at Kadhinamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to accommodate families displaced in the rain. Authorities opened another relief camp at Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha to relocate people from coastal areas battered by high waves. The Met department has warned of heavy rainfall at some places in the State up to June 14.
