The Hindu : Front Page : Heavy rain pounds the State; two killed

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Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006

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Heavy rain pounds the State; two killed

Special Correspondent

ONE OF A KIND: Fire and Rescue Services personnel rescuing a crow trapped on a jackfruit tree that fell on a house near Manacaud in the capital in heavy rain on Monday. — Photo: S. Mahinsha

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain and strong winds pounded Kerala since early morning on Monday, killing two persons and causing widespread destruction.

An 18-year-old girl Savithri and her seven-year-old cousin brother Anil Kumar of a tribal colony at Iruttalakkudi near Marayur in Idukki district were killed when their mud-house collapsed in the rain.

The body of 17-year-old Ramshad, who went missing when a ferry boat capsized in the swirling waters of the Kuttiady river in Kozhikode district two days ago, was recovered downstream the river on Monday.

Winds of 50-60 kilometres per hour swept the State, uprooting trees, snapping electric lines and causing sea-swell and erosion along the coast. Several fishing hamlets along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Kasaragod are experiencing severe sea erosion, according to reports reaching here.

The Directorate of Marine Enforcement alerted fishermen against putting out to the seas for the next 48 years. Widespread rain with isolated heavy rainfall is expected across the State during the next two days, according to the Director of Meteorology K. Santhosh. The same weather conditions might continue till Friday, he added.

The damage to houses and public property is being assessed in each district, compiling reports from the taluk level. An official spokesman said the Government on Monday directed all district Collectors to ensure that relief reached the affected people promptly.

Mananthavady in Wayanad district received 11 cm of rainfall during the last 24 hours. Mannarkad in Palakkad district, Kudulu in Kasaragod district and Munnar in Idukki district received 7 centimetres of rain each.

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