IDUKKI: Widespread damage was reported across the state in the heavy rain that has been continuing for the past few days. Two more persons died on Monday in rain-related incidents. Four persons went missing in the state.The worst hit are hilly regions of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. Alappuzha, Kollam, Kottayam and Kozhikode also suffered heavy damage in the rain.
In the hill district of Idukki, floods triggered by rain submerged low-lying areas, causing erosion and landslides near Kattappana, Thodupuzha and Nedumkandam areas.In a landslide at Chinnappachadi near Nedumkandam, more than half an acre of agriculture land owned by Benny of Kochuparambil House was washed away.More than 10 stretches of thatched fencing built by Benny for cultivation purposes have been destroyed, apart from damage to pepper crops.
On Monday, another landslide washed away a house at Methotty near Thodupuzha, with the residents having managed to move out before the incident.In a similar incident, the Syro Malabar Catholic Church at Keerikkara near Vandiperiyar was partially damaged.
Heavy rain and wind destroyed rooftops, besides inflicting damage to the building as debris and boulders from the nearby hill fell on one side of the church. However, no one was hurt in the incident.With water levels rising, one of the shutters of the Kallar dam was opened on Monday.The authorities opened the shutters of the dam as the water level reached 823.4 ft.
Even while water is flowing to the Erattayar dam via a tunnel, there is heavy inflow of water to the dam.
The Kottarakkara-Dindigul NH at Vandiperiyar has been submerged for the past several days with the Periyar overflowing.
Pedestrians had to wade through water along roads near the Erattayar river as water in the Erattayar dam neared full capacity. Landslips at Rajakkadu-Vellathooval, Thopramkudy-Kattappana and Cheruthoni-Vazhathope-Maniyarankudy roads brought the traffic to a halt.The routes were opened partially for traffic by noon. The house owned by Krishnankutty of Cheruparambil House, at Mettukuzhi near Kattappana was reportedly damaged in a landslip. The residents escaped miraculously.
Holiday declared
Schools in Ernakulam district will remain closed on Tuesday with heavy rain persisting. District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla declared a holiday for schools up to the Plus Two level. Colleges and institutes with professional courses will function opened.
Relief camps opened across Tiruvalla
Tiruvalla: Revenue authorities opened 21 relief camps across the Tiruvalla taluk on Monday. Around 1,000 families are shifted there. Revenue authorities said 35 houses got damaged in the flood and felling of trees. KSEB authorities said around 400 electric posts were damaged, disrupting power supply for the past four days.
Life out of gear in Kottayam
Kottayam: The incessant rainfall for the past 48 hours led to widespread damages, killing three persons. Around 140 houses were partially damaged.