Heavy rain that lashed the State on Friday claimed two lives, and, combined with coastal erosion, caused widespread damage to property forcing the administrations of several districts to relocate scores of families to relief camps.

A 55-year-old man died at Anjalumoodu, Kollam, after a coconut tree, uprooted by heavy winds, fell on him. He was identified as Dileep Kumar, of Chonamchira, Panayam. Though he was rushed to the district hospital, his life could not be saved.

Trapped in currents

In Thiruvalla, a 54-year-old man, identified as Varghese Koshy of Vallamkulam, was fatally trapped in the strong currents in Manimala river, the police said. The body has been sent for post-mortem.

In Kozhikode district, 36 families from the Cheruvannur area were shifted to a temporary relief camp at Nallalam. Officials said 191 persons were given accommodation here. In Kannur, 30 families from Thavakkara, Padannapalam and Vallikkunnu areas were shifted to two separate relief camps.

At Valiyathura in Thiruvananthapuram, several families were shifted to the nearby St. Roch’s School and the godown of the Fisheries Department following severe coastal erosion.

Coastal erosion also forced 18 families consisting of 72 people to relocate to a relief camp in Alappuzha, the State Disaster Management control room here said. Marauding waves damaged 20 houses at Arattupuzha.

In coastal Chellanam in Ernakulam district, several houses were inundated after waves breached the shore by Friday afternoon. As has been the case for many years now, the twin wards of Companypady and Bazar were the worst affected.

Idukki district reported heavy rain and isolated landslips on Friday. The shutters of Pampa and Kallarkutty dams have been opened, and the Kerala State Electricity Board has issued alerts to people living on the banks of the Periyar. The Malankara dam is likely to be opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday, according to reports.

Water level up in Idukki

For the first time this monsoon season, the Idukki reservoir recorded an increasing water level on Friday. The water level has risen by one foot on Friday from the previous day's estimate, an official said.

Incessant rain accompanied by squally winds left rivers in spate, triggered landslips and affected normal life in Kottayam. Traffic along the Erattupetta-Wagamon road faced a disruption following a landslip at Karikad Top.

In Pathanamthitta, the Pampa Manalpuram in the foothills of Sabarimala was flooded in the torrential rainfall that lashed the forest areas. The police warned pilgrims to be cautious while taking their customary bath (Pampasnanom) at Pampa-Triveni.