Around seven fishermen have been reported to be missing in Kerala with the rains intensifying in the state this monsoon. The missing fishermen had ventured out into the sea from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and Shaktikulangara in Kollam in separate boats.

While coastal police have stated that a search operation to trace the missing fishermen has already been launched, protesting locals allege that no efforts are being taken to locate the missing persons. 

According to reports, the coastal police also said that the rough seas were making it difficult to undertake search operations. However, despite this, boats had been deployed to trace the fishermen.

The collector of Thiruvananthapuram, K Gopalakrishnan, met the families of the 4 fishermen who have gone missing from the district and assured that all held would be extended to trace them. In Kollam, 5 fishermen went missing after their boats capsized in the rough seas. Two of them reportedly swam to the shore and have been rescued and admitted to the hospital now. Three, however, is still missing. 

Heavy rains have been predicted in the state from June 19-22 and a red alert has been issued in four districts – Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram and Kannur on Friday. According to reports quoting the MeT department, the northernmost district of Kasaragod too will be issued an alert on Saturday. The shutters of four dams in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts have been opened due to heavy showers. 

Trees are reported to have been uprooted in several parts of the state. In Kannur, at least 30 houses near the Thavakkara railway station were waterlogged and the residents were shifted to relief centres.