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IANS
Thiruvananthapuram
The death toll in Kerala in the heaviest rains in five years and floods has touched 16, with unabated rains badly affecting life in the central districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki.
The toll went up on Wednesday following the death of a Subramanion after his canoe overturned and another man, Bejoy, died when he fell into a overflowing paddy field near Thrissur.
The Met office has predicted more rains in the next four-five days and it may advance towards the northern parts of the state. The authorities are carrying out relief work on a war footing. Around 10,000 people have been put up in relief camps in Kottayam, Ernakulam and Alappuzha. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered district officials on Wednesday to immediately release an amount of Rs 1,000 each to all those who are in these camps on or before July 17 even if they have gone home.
The cabinet also directed Chief Secretary Tom Jose to see that an immediate assessment was made of the damages caused by the heavy monsoon.
