Monsoon fury claims one life in Kerala destroying homes, Next spell of Heavy rains to continue till July 3

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The monsoon fury in Kerala with heavy rains and high waves has led to severe sea erosion in coastal districts, mudslides in hilly tracts and has claimed one life in Malappuram. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rains in parts of the state till July 3. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned of high wave surge in the range of 3 to 3.8 meters till 11.30 pm on July 1.
Scientists of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) have issued alert to all districts indicating that all rivers are at high spate and to take precautions to prevent drowning deaths.“Reports indicate that eight percent of the drowning deaths in India happen in Kerala.
Every year, about 1500 drowning deaths are reported in India, so roughly five people die every day and mostly youngsters. In a bid to prevent that, we have issued instructions to prevent children and youngsters to opt out of recreation around water bodies,” SEOC head scientist Sekhar Kuriakose told TOI.
Beach tourists may be warned by the Beach life gaurds from venturing into the sea for water based recreation as they might be caught unawares, he said.
With heavy to very heavy rains in parts of Kerala, strong winds from westerly direction at a speed occasionally reaching 45-55 kmph is likely along and off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area during the next 24 hours, IMD director K Santosh said. He said the coastal community including fishermen have been advised to be cautious from venturing into sea.
In the last 24 hours, the rain havoc has led to crop loss and house collapse in many districts. In all, four houses have been damaged totally and 76 partially damaged. Vythiri in Wayanad district recorded the maximum 14 cm rains, followed by Munnar and Myladumpara in Idukki 9 cm each.
In the slippery narrow road beside a water channel at Erikkavu in Haripad, a school bus overturned on Wednesday evening, thankfully the 41 students had a miraculous escape.
People in monsoon calamity affected areas have been evacuated to relief camps. Currently, six relief camps are functioning in Alappuzha, three in Wayanad and one in Thiruvananthapuram.