Heavy rain continued in parts of Kerala on Tuesday, with the northern districts receiving the highest rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Flooding also continued in many low-lying and riverside areas of Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kozhikode, forcing people to move to relief camps and causing the loss of valuable documents and children’s school books.
As the monsoon continued, the state government announced support measures for affected families. State Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said special adalats would be held to help restore documents lost in the floods, and the government would ensure that children get the required textbooks and other study materials.
He also said the government has sanctioned Rs 25,000 for cleaning work in every ward, while several volunteer organisations have offered to help clean houses where floodwater had entered.
The minister said the Chief Minister has also announced that financial assistance would be provided without delay to people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. The IMD had on Monday issued an orange alert in 12 districts of the state for August 4 and a yellow alert in two districts.
Among the rainfall figures, Bayar in Kasaragod recorded the highest in the state at 121.5 mm between 3 am on August 3 and midnight, the IMD said. Muliyar, also in Kasaragod, received 81 mm, while Kannur Airport recorded 74 mm.
Urumi in Kozhikode received 65 mm. Cheruvanchery in Kannur and RARS Pilicode in Kasaragod recorded 59.5 mm each, while Neryamangalam in Ernakulam received 59 mm. The IMD classifies 60 mm and above rainfall in 24 hours as heavy rainfall.
According to the latest official update, water levels in the Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha rivers remained above the warning level on Tuesday morning, though both were receding. At 8 am, the Muvattupuzha river stood at 11.60 metres, above the warning level of 10.92 metres and close to the danger mark of 11.93 metres.
The Thodupuzha river was at 11.50 metres at 8 am, above its warning level of 10.78 metres and below the danger mark of 11.79 metres. The Kaliyar river was at 12.26 metres, below its warning level of 13.10 metres and danger level of 14.10 metres, and its water level was also reported to be receding.
Authorities said they are continuing to monitor the rivers and have advised people living along the banks to remain alert as rain continues in several parts of the state.
Water levels in some major power generation dams, including Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta, Kallarkutty, Erattayar and Lower Periyar in Idukki, Poringalkuthu in Thrissur and Kuttiyadi in Kozhikode, are also in the red alert state.
Overall, Kerala continued to face heavy rain, flooding in several districts and high river and dam levels, even as the government stepped up relief and recovery measures.
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