Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Disaster Management Authority has decided to declare Alappuzha and Kottayam as flood-affected districts. Farmers in districts notified as flood-affected will be entitled to crop insurance.

The Authority has sanctioned Rs 2.44 crore to Alappuzha district to meet expenses required for remedial measures, out of which Rs1.69 crore will be spent on reconstruction of bunds and for prevention of waterlogging. The task will be assigned to the local organisation of paddy farmers, Padasekhara Samiti.

Kottayam district has been alloted Rs 50 lakh. Rs 35 lakh has been set aside for the repair of Alappuzha-Changanassery road which runs through the heart of Kuttanad.

The money sanctioned for each district out of a total of Rs 63.05 crore (money in crores):

Thiruvananthapuram 0.51, Kollam 1.16, Pathanamthitta 0.52, Alappuzha 19.92, Kottayam 7.21, Idukki 1.96, Ermakulam 4.37, Thrissur 1.42, Palakkad 7.61, Malappuram 8.91, Wayanad 1.82, Kannur 3.81 and Kasargod 2.06.

Rain to continue until July 30

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala will continue to remain rain-soaked, weather experts say. They predict extensive rain until July 29 and intense showers on 30th.

Fishermen have been warned against venturing out into the sea as fierce winds are expected.

Idukki and Kottayam received maximum rain since June 1. The showers exceeded the average by 49% in Idukki, 43% in Kottayam and 39% in Ernakulam.

At the same time, the seriously flood-affected Alappuzha received only 8% more than its average. Thiruvananthapuram, Kasargod and Thrissur got less than regular showers so far.

Flood-related pictures from across Kerala