Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi/Wayanad, Aug 9 (UNI) Heavy rain lashed several parts of Kerala for the second
day on Friday as southwest monsoon gained strength while 17 people were killed in the state so far, 25 people
are missing and 30-40 people were feared trapped underneath the soil after a village was washed away due to
heavy landslide in Wayanad district.
Official sources said, seven deaths were reported from Wayanad, three each in idduki, Kottayam, Mallapuram and another in Kozhikode.
A village in and around the hillock was washed away in a heavy landslide at Poothumala area near Meppadi in Wayanad district.
According to the officials and media crew who reached the spot by early this morning felt that about 100 acres is said to have been washed away in the heavy landslide that occured around 1800 hours on Thursday.
Though there is no official confirmation, local people feel that some 30 to 40 people could have been fear trapped underneath the soil.
A church, a temple, two to three camp sheds in the plantations and few other properties have also been washed away.
The quantum of loss of human life and properties could be ascertained only after the soil is removed.
The lack of connectivity and continuing heavy downpour is causing difficulty in carrying out rescue operations by the rescue team.
In the wake of heavy rains and water logging, the operations of the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) will remain suspended till 1500 hrs on August 11.
An emergency control room number 91 484 3053500 is provided for enquiry by the passengers, according to release from CIAL.
Flights will be diverted till the opening of the Airport, it added.
Strong winds from westerly/southwesterly direction speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely along and off Kerala coast.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours from 0000 hrs of August 9, Meteorological Office here said in a release early on Friday.
Strong winds from westerly/southwesterly direction with speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely over Lakshadweep and Puducherry coasts.
High waves in the range of 3.0 - 3.7 meters are forecasted between 1730 hours on August 8 to 2330 hours of August 10 along the coast of Lakshadweep Islands from Minicoy to Bitra.
High waves in the range of 3.2 - 3.7 meters are forecasted from 1730 hrs on August 8 to 2330 hrs of August 10 along the coast of Kerala from Pozhiyoor to Kasargod.
Thunderstorm accompanied with rain and gusty winds with speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

Rail traffic between Alappuzha and Ernakulam was disrupted after trees fell on the tracks near Cherthalai this morning.
Following the incident, several trains were diverted via Kottayam route. The Ernadu Express and the Jan Sathabdi Express have been diverted via Kottayam, Thiruvanthapuram Division of Southern Railway (SR) said here.
The train services via Alappuzha have been stopped for the next four hours, it added.
As monsoon became vigorous in Kerala, about 18,308 people from 5,090 families were shifted to 266 relief camps in the state till Friday morning.
About 9,951 people from 2,812 families have been shifted to 105 relief camps in Wayanad district which witnessed many landslips, resulting into the loss of lives and properties, the sources said.
In Malappuram district, 4,106 people from 993 families were shifted to 26 relief camps, the sources added.
In Ernakulam district, 41 relief camps have been set up in which 812 people from 237 families were relocated due to flood.
About 1,017 people were rehabilitated to 349 camps in Kozhikode district, nearly 799 people in 232 relief camps in Idukki district and 807 people in 200 camps in Kannur district.

Four persons were missing in a landslide at Vilangad near Vatakara here in the wee hours on Friday.
According to revenue officials, four houses have been washed away in the landslide. The rescue team are searching for the missing persons.
UNI DS-KP CS 1015