Kerala braces for more rain

A deep depression formed over eastern parts of India a couple of days ago has weakened even as Kerala braced for more rains over the next 48 hours on Wednesday, sources in the Meteorological Centre here said. 

“The deep depression with a marked westerly movement has weakened over the last 24 hours and is becoming a well-marked low pressure around north Madhya Pradesh and neighbourhood,” an official at the centre told Deccan Herald on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, weathermen have predicted more rain in Kerala where the official figure of deaths in rain-related incidents since June 1 has touched 80. Many parts of the Kuttanad region remained flooded on Wednesday and more people were being moved into rehabilitation camps. A second, active spell of south-west monsoon showers over the past week has also brought down the deficit in rainfall this year to three per cent.

The state government is utilising a Central drought and flood relief fund of Rs 178.73 crore in tackling rain-related damage. 

Speaking with reporters here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash held a video conference with all the 14 district collectors of the state on Tuesday and directed them on rehabilitation efforts. 

The state government has sanctioned a relief of Rs two lakh each to families of the deceased, Chandy said.  Cheruthazham (14 cm), Taliparamba (11 cm) and Irikkur (10 cm) in Kannur district recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall through the day. 

Parts of the northern districts of Kasaragod, Kozhikode and Malappuram also recorded heavy rainfall while the central and southern districts received moderate rains. Since June 1, the state has received 1437 mm rainfall, three per cent less than normal. Only four of the state’s 14 districts have recorded deficient rainfall.

On Wednesday, four more deaths were reported from Malappuram, Wayanad, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts.  According to figures released by the state Revenue Department, the state has reported 80 deaths between June 1 and August 6. 

The rains have destroyed 186 houses and partially damaged 4,954 houses. Damage on 7,000 hectares of agricultural land has also been reported.  In the flood-hit Kuttanad region, about 20,000 people have been moved into 233 rehabilitation camps.