Rain showers misery on Kozhikode

Several areas flooded; minor landslips in interior parts of district

Torrential rain wreaked havoc in the district for the second consecutive day on Thursday. Several areas still remain flooded and the district administration has made arrangements to evacuate families or open relief camps in case of eventualities. Weather experts have forecast that the rain will continue for a couple of days and is likely to strengthen in north Kerala.

Round-the-clock control rooms have started functioning for monitoring and coordinating relief work. The telephone numbers are District Collectorate (0495-2371002); Kozhikode Taluk (0495-2372996); Thamarassery Taluk (0495-2223088); Koyilandy Taluk (0496-2620235); and Vadakara Taluk (0496-2522361).

Several arterial roads in the city were inundated following incessant rain on Wednesday itself.

The heart of the city, including the Mofussil bus station, Rajaji road, Mavoor road, Sreekandeswaram road, Court Road, Jaffer Khan Colony Road and Pavamani Road, remained submerged.

The heavy rain also triggered several minor landslips in the interior parts of the district.

Houses damaged

At many places, roads were blocked, houses damaged and agricultural farms partially destroyed.

The Revenue department is yet to fully assess the loss to agricultural crops in many regions. As of now the loss has been estimated at Rs.10.88 lakh. A house was destroyed and 18 were damaged, official sources said.

The administration has also warned of possible mudslides in the hill regions. Kodiyathur, Kakkad, Kumaranalloor, Thiruvambadi, Koodaranji, Puthuppadi, Chempanodu, Chakkittapara, Perambra, Kurachundu, Thinoor, Maruthongara and Kavilumpara are identified as landslip-prone areas in the district.

Power outages were reported from several parts of the city and its suburbs. Traffic had to be regulated after branches of trees broke and fell on the roads.

A coconut tree was uprooted at Chaliyam, resulting in power supply disruption in the area.

Another tree got uprooted near Karaparamba. The Fire and Rescue Services and police personnel had a difficult time in clearing the debris in the city.

Pedestrians too faced hardships after garbage from the overflowing drains began to spread and float at the markets, especially at Palayam.