The death toll from rain-related incidents across Kerala has climbed to 15, with a further seven people still unaccounted for, Chief Minister VD Satheesan said on Monday, as relief efforts continued across the flood-hit southern Indian state.
Speaking at a press conference after reviewing the situation with senior officials, Satheesan said 316 relief camps were operating as of 9am on Monday, sheltering 11,018 people who had been displaced by the rain and flooding, says NDTV.
Kottayam district accounted for three of the deaths, including two people killed in the Poonjar assembly constituency and a child who drowned after falling into a water tank, the chief minister said.
Two further deaths were reported in Ernakulam, while Idukki and Muvattupuzha each recorded one fatality. Kollam reported two deaths and Malappuram four, with one further death apiece in Kannur and Kozhikode.
Of the seven people still missing, two are in Kollam, two in Kannur, one in Malappuram, and one each in Idukki and Muvattupuzha, Satheesan added.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across the state on 3 and 6 August, accompanied by strong winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.
It has advised fishermen against venturing into the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coastal waters on 2 and 3 August, warning of winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour and rough sea conditions.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has separately warned of high waves of between 2.7 and 3.5 metres along the northern Kerala coast, urging fishermen and residents in coastal areas to remain vigilant as the weather system continues to move through the region.
