With rains subsiding in many parts of Kerala, search operations are underway in landslide-hit areas of Kavalappara and Puthumala in Malappuram and Wayanad, even as the death toll in the monsoon fury climbed to 76 and 2.87 lakh persons have sought refuge in relief camps.
As many as 58 persons are still missing, of whom 50 are in Malappuram, where the toll is 24, the highest in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in Kerala to take stock of the flood situation, this morning visited a relief camp at the hill town of Thiruvambady, part of Wayanad constituency, which he represents in the Lok Sabha.
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"In this tragedy we all are standing with you", he said, addressing the people in the camp and wanted Congress and UDF workers to provide all help to those affected by the deluge.
"I have come here with sadness. There is tremendous tragedy in Wayanad. I also know today is a festival. Though it is not a happy occasion, I still wish you for Eid", he said.
In many camps, people observed a low key Eid festival with well wishers bringing in food and new clothes for the inmates.
There was no red alert in any of the 14 districts on Monday.
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An official update at 11 AM said 2,87,585 people have taken shelter in 1,654 relief centres in the state. With the recovery of more bodies, including 24 from Malappuram, 17 from Kozhikode and 12 from Wayanad since August 8, the death toll has gone up to 76.
A massive landslide had wrecked havoc in Kavalappara, a 10 acre settlement near Nilambur in Malappuram on August 8 and according to local people at least 50 people are still missing.
In Puthumala in Wayanad, another landslide had wrecked havoc in the area. Ten bodies have been recovered and seven people are said to be missing.
Efforts are on to reach relief materials -- clothes, medicines and cleaning materials to people who have been displaced and collection centres have come up across Kerala.
Four trains were fully cancelled on Monday-- Okha Ernakulam express, BarauniErnakulam Raptisagar, the Thiruvananthapuram-Ahilyanagari express and the Kochuveli-Hyderabad special trains, a Southern Railways press release said Monday morning.
IMD has predicted "heavy rainfall" at isolated parts over Kerala from August 12 till August 16. The meteorological department also advised fishermen to not venture into those areas.
"Strong winds, speed reaching 45-55 kmph, are likely to prevail over southwest, central and north Arabian Sea and along & off Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat coasts, Lakshadweep area, south Tamilnadu coast and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Squally weather likely to prevail over West Bengal and Odisha coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas," the IMD bulletin said.
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Meanwhile, the Kerala University has postponed all its examinations scheduled for August 13, a release said.
(PTI)
