Southwest monsoon activity has intensified over Kerala after remaining weak for about four days submerging low-lying lands, water-logging city roads, uprooting trees and causing misery to thousands of people as heavy rains and strong winds have been lashing most parts of the States.
Scientists at the Thiruvananthapuram unit of the Indian Meteorological Department said that heavy rains might continue across Kerala till Tuesday. Certain places were likely to receive heavy showers till Sunday. Scientists were expecting Kerala to get up to 24 CM rainfall till June 21.
Fishermen have been asked to be on the alert while venturing into see for their job in the coming days as there is the possibility of winds with speeds between 45KMPH and 55KMPH. The State Disaster Management Authority instructed all district collectors in Kerala to be on the alert about chances of rain-linked tragedies.
Scientists have also warned of the possibility of landslips and mudslides in the hilly regions like Idukki in the coming days. The Disaster Management Authority suggested restricting movement of tourists to the high ranges. Kerala had witnessed the death of a 36-year-old man in Idukki district in mudslide on June 8, the day the monsoon touched the Kerala coast.
Extensive losses of property and crops were reported from the Thiruvananthapuram district in the heavy showers and strong winds that lashed the area the other day. Water-logging was reported from several residential areas as many places remained without electricity after trees uprooted the rains fell on power lines.
Uprooted trees had fallen on several houses forcing residents to shift to safer places. Officials in the Revenue Department said a large number of houses had suffered damages and some had been destroyed totally. “The extent of losses is yet to be calculated,” said an official. Road traffic was also affected by the heavy rains in many places.