Kerala has been witnessing intense monsoon showers over the last few days and a total of 21 rain related casualties have been reported since the south west monsoon hit the state on July 8.
The maximum number of deaths have been recorded in the northern district of Kasaragod where 5 people have lost their lives. While four of them passed away due to drowning, one death was recorded due to electrocution.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Idukki and Kozhikode, 2 casualties have been reported from each district. "Three deaths have been reported from Thrissur and 1 each from Malappuram, Kottayam and Kannur," a source from the Thiruvananthapuram based State Disaster control unit confirmed with TNM.
Apart from drowning and electrocution, a few deaths have even happened due to trees falling during the rain.
As on Monday morning, a total of 13 relief camps have been set up in the state to shift those affected by the rains. Four relief camps have been set up in Thiruvananthapuram, 2 each in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Kannur and 1 in Kozhikode.
Schools in Kannur, Kottayam and Kozhikode declared a holiday on Monday due to the rains. In Pathanamthitta, apart from the schools where the two relief camps were set up, all other educational institutions were working.
The Indian Meteorological department issued a Red warning for Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on Monday and Kannur and Kasaragod on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Orange warning has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kasaragod for July 22 and in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts for July 23. The districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod have been issued Orange warning for July 24. (A Red warning is the strongest warning which is issued to district officials to take action, while Orange warning asks district officials to be prepared)