Thodupuzha: Heavy to very heavy rainfall pounded Idukki on Tuesday, wreaking havoc in the area and prompting authorities to declare holiday for educational institutions in three taluks.

The collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, in  Udumbanchola, Devikulam and Idukki taluks on Wednesday. However, there will be no change in examinations scheduled for the day. In Kottayam, the collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions that are functioning as relief camps.  

The incessant rain also flooded the hill town of Adimali in Idukki and washed away parts of Kochi-Danushkodi National Highway, disrupting traffic. Four shutters of the Malankara dam near Thodupuzha were also opened on Tuesday. The Ernakulam collector has asked all those living along the banks of Muvattupuzha to stay alert.

The Met department has forecast rain in various parts of Kerala till Thursday. Strong winds with speed of up to 50 kmph are likely to lash the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep, the IMD warned.

The torrential rain had claimed 49 lives since July 9, in the second phase of the southwest monsoon, and nearly 1.10 lakh people were still staying in 486 make-shift relief camps mostly in worst-affected Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. Crops in about 1,202 hectares had been destroyed.

In Alappuzha alone, a total of 84,618 people were in 271 relief camps. In Kottayam 17,034 people were in 110 camps.

Most of the schools and colleges in the rain-hit districts have been shut since last week.

A central team led by union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Alphons Kannanthanam visited the flood affected areas last week and promised central assistance to deal with the situation. The Centre had also sanctioned Rs 80 crore to the state as initial aid.

Another central inter-ministerial team headed by a joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs would visit the state to assess the quantum of damages and losses occurred in various sectors due to the rain and floods.

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