E-Paper
Elderly man dies of electrocution as heavy rains lash parts of Kerala
Many people have been already been evacuated from the catchment areas near Idukki dam in Kerala.
A 74-year-old man died of electrocution in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed different parts of Kerala while an orange alert for people living in the catchment areas and low-lying areas remains in force.
The sluice gates of three dams in Thiruvananthapuram -- Neyyar, Aruvikkara and Peppara -- have been opened with the water level rising, a state disaster control room official said. The water level in the Idukki reservoir has reached 2395.38 feet following heavy rain in the catchment areas.
With the water level in the Idukki dam across the Periyar river nearing its maximum storage level, the state government has put the army and navy on alert. A team of disaster management control force is also camping near the district headquarters.
Idukki received 192.3 cm rainfall this year which is at least 49% more than what the hilly district received last year, met officials said.
The orange alert which was issued Monday night is for weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. All rivers in the state are in spate and authorities have warned people living in hilly areas after minor landslips were reported from many areas.
The district collector ordered all educational institutions in the state capital to shut down Tuesday, except professional colleges.
In Alappuzha district, 12 new relief camps have been opened since Monday evening and 3,886 people living in the coastal areas, including porakkad, have been shifted.
The Met office has predicted heavy rainfall across Kerala on Tuesday. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into sea which is expected to be very rough.
(With PTI inputs)
