The death toll in the Kerala rains rises to 41 as two more people - a father and son - lost their lives when their mud house collapsed in Thrissur on Friday, 20 July, due to heavy showers. One more person has been reported to be missing in Alappuzha, which is a severely affected district in the state.
A team lead by Union Minister of State for Home, Kiran Rijuju and Tourism Minister KJ Alphons will be visiting the worst hit districts of Kottayam and Alappuzha besides Chellanam in Ernakulam district on Saturday, 21 July, according to a Mathrubhumi report.
According to sources, over 1.18 lakh people have sought refuge in 606 different relief camps across the state as the rains continued over several weeks.
In Alappuzha and Kottayam which are the worst hit districts, over 50, 836 people are in 212 camps and 37,657 are in 164 camps respectively, according to the report.
With roads flooding and KSRTC buses discontinuing services in many parts of these districts, people especially in areas such as Muttar and Kainakari were stranded in waist deep water.
For the locals, waterborne diseases and paucity of safe drinking water too are looming problems.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in various parts of the state till Saturday and strong winds from 35-45 and 60 kmph were expected in Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts.
Monsoons in Kerala began on 29 May this year and has continued to wreck havoc in various districts.
With the rains causing serious damage in various parts of Kerala, the state Forest Minister, K Raju, said that compensation for these damages will be given as soon as possible.
Those who have lost houses will be given assistance under the Life Mission to rebuild the houses.K Raju, Kerala Forest Minister
The Disaster Management Authority has again come out with guidelines for the people. Furthermore, they have asked people to avoid traveling to hilly regions from 7 pm to 7 am, considering the possibility of landslides.
(This was originally published in The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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