Thiruvananathapuram: The rain havoc during this South West Monsoon in Kerala with incessant heavy rains, flash floods and debris flows, has claimed 21 lives and left 591 houses fully damaged.

Now, the next spell of heavy rains gear up in parts of Kerala and Lakshadweep till June 15, State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has re-issued the alert to all districts with caution in hilly terrains warning of debris flows and landslides.

Due to Squally winds and high waves, the coastal community and in particular the fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing into the sea.

Peermade in Idukki reported isolated extremely heavy rains of 32 cm. Flash floods and debris flows have led to house collapse in Idukki, and district collector has declared a holiday for schools in Idukki for the second day.

“Heavy rains tin the range of 7 to 11 cm to very heavy rains in the range of 12 to 20 cm are expected in parts of Kerala till June 14, further heavy rains are likely in parts of Kerala and over Lakshadweep till June 15. Fishermen are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea off Karnataka, Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area,” Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) director K Santosh said.

In the last 24 hours, Peermade in Idukki recorded the maximum extremely heavy rains of 32 cm. Vythiri in Wayanad reported 15 cm rains, followed by Munnar in Idukki with 13 cm rains and generally Idukki recorded 11 cm rains.

IMD, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) officials have warned of Strong winds mainly from Westerly direction speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph very likely along an off Karnataka, Kerala coasts and over Lakshadweep area for next 24 hours. They have also warned that the Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough over East central, west central and south west Arabian Sea. Fishermen are advised not to venture in to these areas.

“High waves in the range of 3.5 to 4.3 metre or 10 to 12 feet is likely along Kerala coast during 5.30 pm on June 11 to 11.30 pm on June 13. Fishermen are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area,” KSDMA officials said.

The water levels in dams have soared. The water level in Neyyar dam has reached 84.45 m and the shutters will be opened. Similarly water levels in Idukki dam, Aruvikara dam and other dams have also increased and the residents in the area have been alerted, Irrigation department officials said.

“Rain havoc during south west monsoon in Kerala has claimed 21 lives including four lives on June 11. Most of the deaths are due to drowning with flash floods and due to tree fall. It has fully damaged 591 houses till date including 46 houses on Monday. It has partially damaged 2221 houses including 101 houses across Kerala this monsoon. The crop loss across the state is yet to be estimated,” Shibu R, an official at the state disaster control room told TOI on Monday.

The SEOC of KSDMA has re-issued a set of directions which include:

* Hilly areas taluk control rooms to function 24 hours a day till June 15.
* In areas prone to flash floods with heavy rains, relief camps will be opened and the keys of the buildings will be with village officer or tehsildar. The required staff will be in place for rescue and temporary rehabilitation.
* In areas prone to Landslides and debris flows particularly in hilly terrains, police patrol will control the movement of traffic during 7pm to 7am.
* The tourists in beach resorts should be alerted by the District Tourism Promotion Council against venturing into beaches and seas.
* As the rain waters with the drains surges along the by lane roads, parking of vehicles along such by lanes should be prohibited.
* Commuters have been advised not to park vehicles under trees.
* Children should not be permitted to visit beaches, along sea, rivers, lakes, backwaters, ponds, dam sites during heavy rains and alert.
* In case of any emergency, the public can contact District Emergency Operations Centre toll free number 1077.