Heavy rain wreaks havoc in State

Kozhikode: The monsoon that intensified over Kerala again on Friday has unleashing torrential rain across the State leaving several low lying areas flooded and creating havoc in hilly regions.

In Kollam district, one person, identified as Puthanveetil Radhakrishnan (68), died when his house collapsed in the rain. Widespread damage to houses was also reported in Chithara and Chadayamangalam. The Collector has declared a holiday for the educations institutes in the district on Saturday.

In the capital district, one person, Thankappan Asari, 69, of Uzhamalakkal at Aryanad, near Nedumangad, lost his life after a wall of his house collapsed on him on Thursday. The district administration has issued a special alert notice to those residing on the shores of the Vamanapuram river. The authorities said the chances of opening the shutters of the Neyyar dam were high since the water level in the dam had touched 83.9 metres against the maximum level of 84.75 m Friday night. District Collector Biju Prabhakar has asked people living in low-lying areas to remain alert. The District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Saturday.

In Kozhikode, several low lying areas have been flooded, causing widespread damage to houses, infrastructure, and crops. A landslide triggered by heavy rains at the first hairpin bend of Thamarassery Churam created traffic mayhem Friday night.

The rains have also caused havoc in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.

The Met Centre warned of heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall till Monday.