Rain wreaks havoc in Kerala; toll hits 11

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Heavy rains continued to lash most parts of the state on Saturday as the death toll in the monsoon fury rose to 11.

In all, 33 houses have been destroyed in various districts and over 700 have been partially damaged. The rains have also hit the agricultural sector badly though the losses are yet to be estimated.

In Kuttanad, more than 50 hectares of paddy farms are submerged in water. According to reports reaching here, one person had gone missing on Friday night after being caught in floods in Palakkad, taking up the death toll.

The state government has already announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the monsoon. The revenue minister, Mr Thruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, has also sanctioned Rs 35,000 for those who lost their houses in the floods. Funds will also be sanctioned for repair of partially damaged houses.

Relief centres have been opened in all districts and hundreds of families have been moved into them. The families have been promised free rations.

According to officials, the disaster management cell is also alert to the threat of sea surges in coastal areas.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department said that the heavy rains are likely to continue for two more days, especially in the northern districts of the state.