By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Ten people died due to heavy rain in Kerala Saturday taking the death toll to 18, even as the weather office forecast more rain in the next couple of days.
"Due to the deep depression in the Andhra Pradesh coast, Kerala will get heavy rains in the next two days," met office director K. Santhosh told reporters.
He said that strong winds with a speed of 55 km per hour are also expected to hit Kerala and Lakshadweep.
On Saturday, 10 people died in various rain-related incidents, taking the toll to 18, officials said. The total number of missing people is not yet known.
The youngest to die was a four-year-old boy in Baluserry in Kozhikode district while a family of four was swept away due to landslide in Wayanad district. Their bodies were recovered later.
One death each was reported from Kollam, Kottayam, Kannur, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts.
Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran told reporters here that the state government had allotted Rs.2.5 million for the affected people in Thiruvananthapuram district and Rs.2 million each for the other seven affected districts for immediate relief.
"Free ration would be given to all in these districts for two weeks. Moreover, we have opened a control room in the state secretariat and also in the affected district headquarters," said Rajendran.
Rail and road traffic were disrupted and almost all trains were running late for the past two days.
Power supply was also severely hit at several places.
Farmers were the worst affected as rains have swamped hundreds of acres of agricultural crop.
The rains have completely destroyed more than 500 houses across the state and partially destroyed thousands of homes.
Several small dams in the state are reported to be full, and a few of them have already opened their gates.
The state government has opened nearly 30 relief camps where about 4,000 people, especially from the coastal areas, have taken shelter.