KOTTAYAM: With the Southwest monsoon strengthening in the district, the torrential downpour continued to wreak widespread damage across the district on the second consecutive day on Monday. The worst affected areas are in Kottayam taluk, where scores of houses were damaged in heavy rain and gusty winds.
As per the official statistics of the district administration, 154 houses were partially damaged across the district causing a total loss of R21.63 lakh. At the same time, unofficial figures stated more than 200 houses were damaged. As per official figures, as many as 74 houses were partially destroyed in Kottayam taluk; 34 houses in Changanassery, 22 in Vaikom, 18 in Kanjirappally and six in Meenachil.
According to the Agriculture Department, crops in a total of 52.35 hectares were damaged in the rain, causing a cumulative loss of R2.20 crore. Crops including plantain, rubber, paddy and others were destroyed in the rain and wind across the district. However, Agriculture Department officers are yet to take an exact estimate of the crop loss.
Houses in low-lying areas in the western parts of the district are under the threat of inundation, following water level in major rivers, including Meenachil, Manimala and Kodoor breaching its boundaries. With the Meteorological Department predicting the heavy rain will continue for one more day, the district administration has declared a holiday in the district on Tuesday.
The District administration has made elaborate arrangements to counter any emergent situation and opened round-the-clock control room in the Collectorate and all the five taluks in the district.Vaikom witnessed the highest rainfall with 83.2 mm between 8 am on Sunday and 8 am on Monday. Kottayam received 53 mm rainfall during this same period.District Collector B S Thirumeni said the public can contact the control room for any needs arising from rain-related issues.
Control room numbers
Kottayam taluk: 0481 2568007, Meenchil: 0482 2212325, Vaikom: 04829 231331, Kanjirappally: 0482 8202331, Changanassery: 0481 2420037, district control room: 0481 2304800, 94465 62236, and toll free number: 1077.
Widespread damage in Palakkad
Palakkad: Widespread damage were reported in the rains which lashed the district on Monday. People travelling through the ghat road from Mannarkad to Attappadi could face a harrowing time as landslips are common in the area. On Sunday too, a tree was uprooted due to wind in Aanamooli, resulting in traffic disruption. Traffic was restored after several hours. Many trees on the side of the ghat road could fall any moment. The PWD had drawn up a list of 111 trees which need to be axed for smooth movement of traffic on the ghat road. However, as the price of the trees were yet to be determined, the trees have not been cut. When trees are uprooted and fall, power is also disrupted in Attappadi. It may be recalled that in September 2017 traffic was suspended after major landslips. The traffic was restored fully only after 26 days. Holiday: The district collector declared a local holiday for educational institutions in Attappadi taluk on Tuesday due to the rains. Muthalamada: A neem tree fell on the house of Sivadasan of Muthalamada and the roof was completely destroyed. The area around the kitchen was also completely damaged.