KOCHI: Idukki district which witnessed heavy rain on Saturday continued to witness downpour on Sunday also following which the tourist destinations including Thekkady and Munnar became almost inaccessible to tourists. Traffic on both state and national highways was disrupted and many houses were damaged in the wind and rain. Uprooted trees were seen blocking the highway from Neriamangalam to Munnar.
One person died due to electric shock from service wire. Adimali native Biju (47) is the dea. Edamalakkudy area was cut off from the main land after the road to the area was washed away in the rain. This has affected movement of food articles to the area. Shutters of the Lower Periyar Dam were opened in the day while there was warning that the shutters of Malankara dam would be opened anytime.
The national park at Eravikulam was closed while the boating in the Mattuppetty dam was suspended. A holiday was declared in the plantations in Munnar and adjoining areas. Power disruption was rampant in the area while crops suffered huge loss especially cardamom and plantains. This loss is also due to the heavy wind blowing in the high ranges. In the Vandiperiyar area, KK Road was blocked after flood water entered it at Nellimala.
Revenue officials said that the Disaster Management Force is ready at Devikulam to deal with emergency situations. The district collector has declared a holiday for educational institutions in the district excluding professional colleges on Monday. Meanwhile, Heavy rain and wind caused havoc in different parts of Kochi, especially in Kadungalloor near Kalamasserry. Trees were uprooted at different locations and fell on houses during heavy winds accompanied by rain. Tree uprooted and crashed into NSS building in Eloor damaging the building but there was no injury to anyone.
