Four more people have lost their lives to the south west monsoons in Kerala on Wednesday, taking the death toll from the second spell of rains to an alarming 27. The deaths were reported from the districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha and Thrissur, according to a Mathrubhumi report.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to send a team to evaluate the havoc caused in the state by the second bout of rains that began on July 9.
The monsoons have so far claimed 90 lives in the state and 27,000 people have taken relief in shelter camps since the onset of the south west monsoon on May 29.
Aid for affected families
The state cabinet which also convened on Wednesday decided to provide Rs 1000 as a one-time aid to those families put up in the relief camps.
The government's decision is based on loss of household articles, clothes etc. The money will be paid to those who were in relief camps till 6 pm on July 17 and those who stayed there and later returned to their houses, according to reports.
In Alappuzha and Kottayam, the worst affected districts, two National Disaster Response teams were deployed. Additionally, the army too was prepared in case of an emergency, according to reports.
Holidays for taluks in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta
All educational institutions in various taluks in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts will remain closed on Thursday due to unabated rains over the past few days.
In Kottayam and Vaikom, educational institutions in Mutholy, Kidangoor, Kurichi, Madappally, Payippad, Thrikkodithanam and Vazhappilly panchayats, Changanassery municipality will be closed on Thursday.
Further, those schools operating as relief camps in these areas will also remain closed.
In Alappuzha, all educational institutions