Incessant rain accompanied by gusty winds that lashed the district during the past 24 hours has wrecked havoc in various parts and threw normal life out of gear. Low-lying areas have been inundated and trees uprooted extensively in the high land and midland areas covered mostly by rubber plantations. Power supply remained disrupted for long hours even in town areas in the district, as electric posts were uprooted when trees fell on power lines.
Holiday today
District Collector B.S. Thirumeni has declared holiday on Monday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, in the district.
University and other examinations will, however, be held as scheduled, the press note said.
The western low-lying areas, especially in the Vaikom taluk, have been inundated in the heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours. At least three relief camps were opened in the taluk by Sunday evening and people were being moved to these centres, district authorities said. At least four relief camps had been opened in the district so far, they said. They are at St. John’s HSS, Veloor in Kottayam taluk; Community Centre at Podiyadi in Udayanapuram; SNLPS, Prayar; and Government Harijan Welfare Centre, Kallara.
According to district authorities, widespread damages to crops have been reported from Kottayam, Changanassery, Kanjirappally and Vaikom taluks. In most places trees, including rubber, and plantain have been uprooted in large numbers. The Meenachil river and its tributaries have breached the banks with water getting into houses and inundating roads and fields.
Damages to buildings are reported from Changanassery (89), Kottayam (37), and Vaikom (12) taluks. According to authorities, loss to crop has not been ascertained so far.