THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain lashed most parts of the state on Tuesday after a brief lull of two days, with two more deaths and over 20 landslides reported on the day. Kannur, Wayanad,
Kozhikode, Palakkad and Idukki districts bore the brunt of rain fury while the havoc was felt for the first time in southern parts of the state.
The day began with landslides, both major and minor, in Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Idukki districts. Wayanad district was isolated following a landslide in Thamarassery pass. Munnar town in Idukki was also inundated while landslides were reported in Kottiyoor, Kannur and half a dozen places in Kozhikode. Residential areas were submerged in Palakkad town following the opening of shutters of all dams in the district.
The shutters of Idukki dam, which were partially closed on Monday, were opened by Tuesday evening. The discharge of water has been doubled as a result and six lakh litres of water Is being discharged from the dam per second now. A warning has been issued to those living on the banks of Thodupuzha river, also in Idukki, with shutters of Malankara dam raised further.
The water level in Banasurasagar dam in Wayanad continues to be at full reservoir level, prompting authorities to keep all shutters fully open. The water discharge from Malampuzha dam is also likely to be increased.
The sudden spell of rain has been attributed to low pressure developed off Bengal coast. The IMD has warned
heavy rain and strong winds in the state on Wednesday too. Revenue officials have warned fishermen against venturing into sea.
Heavy winds wreaked havoc in
Thiruvananthapuram district too on Tuesday. A man riding a two-wheeler died in Sreekaryam after a tree fell on him while over 40 houses were damaged. One more death was reported in Thrissur on the day.
The annual Niraputhari festival at Sabarimala temple, marking the beginning of the harvest season, will take place on Wednesday in the absence of tanthri (chief priest) as the water level in Pamba river is rising dangerously. The melsanthi (head priest), who stays in the temple, will perform the ritual while devotees have been blocked downhill.
As per official records, the death toll in the current spell of heavy rain that began last week is 39 on Monday night, with four people missing.
Munnar town was almost cut off on Tuesday as traffic was disrupted after two shutters of Mattupetti dam were opened
