Heavy rains lash south Kerala, train services disrupted

Kerala capital had been battered by heavy downpour since the wee hours today, bringing low-lying areas under water and throwing up traffic snarls even in the heart of the city.
According to police, one Velappan (60) died when the compound wall at his house collapased in Manikanteswaram on the outskirts of the city.

Three passenger trains have been cancelled between Nagarcoil and Thiruvananthapuram and several express trains were held up at various stations due to problems caused by the downpour, a divisional railway release said.

Landslip blocked track at Kuzhithura near Nagarcoil while breaches were detected on track near Aralvaymoli between Nagarcoil and Thiruvananthapuram.

A team of railway officials led by Divisional Manager Rajiv Dutt had rushed to the affected spot and efforts were on a war footing to restore trafffic, a railway spokesperson said.
According to IMD sources here, the present spell of rains would conitue for a day.
The Fisheries Department had issued warning to fisherfolk not to venture into sea as inclement weather might prevail for at least another day.