Kerala: Devastating rain claims 37 lives, red alert declared till August 14

Kochi: Though the intensity of the rain has come down in the state,  37 people lost their lives, thousands thrown out homeless in the devastating rain that experienced in the state since August 8.

Severe damage had been reported from many part of the state, leaving 52 houses fully damaged and 639 partially in the rain related incidents, Kerala Disaster Control Room Sources told UNI.

The government had opened 350 relief camps, accommodating 35,874 families, the sources said adding that the largest number of 128 camps, shifting 14,128 families.

The largest number of 13 causalities reported from Idukki, followed by Malappuram six, Wayanad and Thiruvananhapuram four each, Palakkad and Ernakulam two each and Kozhikode, Kannur and Pathanamthitta one each, the sources added.

Though the intensity of rain has come down in Idukki, the inflow of water to the Idukki dam from the catchment areas was continuing, resulted to continue of releasing 7.5 lakh litter in per second, as the water level remained 2400.32 feet.

Many low lying areas were still submerged and people were shifted to various relief camps, the sources said adding that shutters of as many as 25 dams were open as the water lever wet up against its storing capacity.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the flood situation and relief works being undertaken by the Army, Navy, Air force, Coast Guard and the NDRF.

The government had decided to provide Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who lost their house and land, while Rs four lakh to the families of those died in the natural fury. A decision in this regard was taken after Mr Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala visited the affected areas in Ernakulam Wayand.

The government had taken all measures to face the natural fury and it was quite satisfactory, Mr Vijayan added.

In the meanwhile, moderate rain was being continued in many parts of the state and there was possibility of sever rain in central and northern states.

Red alert was declared in Wayanad and Idukki till August 14, while that of in Kannur Alappuzha till August 13 and Ernakulam, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts on August 12. (UNI)