Torrential Rain Hits Kochi, Inflicts Widespread Damage
Heavy rain continues to lash Kochi, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for five districts and a yellow alert for seven others. Over the past two days, relentless downpours have caused significant destruction across the region.
Two houses in Ernakulam were completely obliterated, and 71 others sustained varying degrees of damage. A relief camp at Kadungalloor Kuttikkattukara Government School, which housed 54 evacuees, was closed on Wednesday as water levels receded. The camp’s occupants included 22 men, 18 women, 14 children, and six senior citizens.
In a precarious incident on Tuesday night, a family from Pallikkara, West Morakkala, was relocated to safety after a landslip hurled a massive amount of earth onto their home. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the debris did fall into a room where two children were present.
Elsewhere, heavy rain caused widespread damage. In Kumbalangi village, two houses were partially damaged, and a portion of an old building in Mattancherry collapsed. Muvattupuzha taluk saw 16 houses damaged, and protection walls of three homes partially collapsed. In Aluva taluk, six houses were damaged, and Parakadavu witnessed the complete destruction of a house and uprooting of various trees that led to power outages.
Additional damages were reported from Kothamangalam, where three houses were partially affected, and Kanayannur taluk, which saw 13 houses damaged. A road segment near Assisi School in Chembumukku also suffered damage. Heavy winds uprooted a tamarind tree in Thiruvankulam, damaging one house, while Kunnathunad taluk reported damage to 15 homes. Paravur taluk saw one house completely destroyed and 14 others partially damaged.
The IMD forecasts continued heavy rainfall, with Cochin naval airport area receiving 43 mm and Kochi airport in Nedumbassery 41.4 mm on Wednesday. Rain is expected to persist from July 17 to 21, with very heavy rainfall predicted for isolated areas.
As a precaution, the mahogany plantation in Kalady Ecotourism Centre will remain closed for three days. Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant as the adverse weather conditions persist.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/heavy-rain-damages-73-houses-in-ernakulam/article68414389.ece
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