Monsoon fury claims 11 lives in Kerala, Met office warns of more rain

At least 11 people killed on Monday as heavy rains and high-speed wind continued to lash Kerala disrupting rail and road services in eight districts even as Met office warned of heavy rain for another two days.

Among the dead were two each from Kozhikkode and Malappuram districts and three from Kollam. Road and rail services were crippled in many areas and in Kozhikkode and Kochi airports some flights were delayed due to heavy rain.

Several low-lying areas were submerged in Kochi and Alappuzha and 6000 people were shifted to relief camps, the state disaster management department said. Many rivers have crossed the danger mark and dams are filled to the brim, it said.

Due to water-logging on rail tracks, electronic signalling system was damaged affecting train traffic throughout the state. At least eight passenger trains were cancelled and many long-distance trains were either running late or rescheduled, the railways said. The Mangalore-Kochuveli Antyodaya Express had a miraculous escape after a tree fell on it near Kochi.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who returned home on Sunday cutting short a visit to the United States, reviewed the situation and directed all district collectors to maintain strict vigil. Vijayan was scheduled to return only on July 18 after a two-week trip but had to come back earlier as situation worsened in Kerala.

The state disaster management authority has warned people living on the banks of rivers and advised tourists to avoid hilly areas after landslips were reported from many areas.

Educational institutions were closed in eight districts on Monday as a precautionary measure and in Kottayam district collector ordered closure for second consecutive day on Tuesday.