Rain continues to play havoc in Kerala, two die

Thiruvananthapuram: The government on Thursday sought an assistance of Rs 110 crore from the centre even as torrential rains accompanied by high-velocity winds continued to lash various parts of Kerala claiming two lives besides causing widespread damage to houses and agriculture.

In Thiruvananthapuram district, Omana, 50, a resident of Nellimoodu near Kanjiramkulam died after their tin-roofed house caved in following landslide. Her husband Babu, who sustained grievous injuries in the incident, was admitted to the medical college hospital.

One person was killed and another went missing in rains and strong winds in Malabar region. Pooppulam Yakub, 40, a fish vendor was killed in Perinthalmanna when a tree fell on him while he was riding a two-wheeler on Thursday morning.

Latheef, 32, son of Abubeckerkutti, went missing while he was fishing in the flood waters at Mukkam. Police and fire force officials have launched a search operation to locate him. Nearly 100 houses were damaged, including 20 completely, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Heavy to very rainfall was recorded in Ernakulam district affecting rail and road traffic in many areas during the day.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, who is in Delhi, submitted a preliminary memorandum to Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and his junior colleague Mullapally Ramachandran. The government was still in the process of collecting details of loss to agricultural crops and houses in various districts, he said and added  that the memorandum was submitted on the basis of preliminary findings estimating a loss of Rs 70 crore, including Rs 15 crore in agriculture sector alone.

Besides, about 400 houses had been completely damaged, 1500 partially and over 5000 suffered minor damage.