Rains pound Kerala, claim two lives

Heavy rains triggered by a low pressure over the Arabian Sea pounded most parts of Kerala today, claiming two lives, including a woman, besides causing extensive damage to crops and property.
Incessant summer showers accompanied by strong winds brought rail tracks and roads under water in some places, delaying trains and throwing up traffic snarls in many places, including the state capital.
According to official sources, at least two deaths had been reported since last night, one of them a woman near here and another a man in Malappuram, taking the total toll to 20 since summer showers started, sporadically in its initial phase.

According to the Indian Meteorological Centre here, the low pressure formed over Kanyakumari earlier this week moved and lay over north Kerala, bringing heavy rainfall in places like Kochi, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
Several long distance trains were delayed and some passenger trains cancelled as tracks got submerged in Kochi.
Power supply was disrupted in many places as trees and supporting poles came crashing down in strong winds that accompanied the downpour.

State Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said the current rain spell has inflicted a loss of at least Rs 110 crore. He is in Delhi to submit a memorandum to the Centre seeking aid to tide over the situation.

Continuous rains also cast a shadow over the pomp and fanfare of the famous Thrissur Pooram festival, which is to rise to its climax tomorrow with a glittering elephant parade, ensemble of percussion instruments featuring scores of artists and fireworks lasting for hours.
The 'sample fireworks', held two days before the pooram, was cancelled yesterday. Preliminary rituals and procession of the festival was delayed today as rains drenched the town and suburbs.
According to IMD, Kochi Airport recorded the highest rainfall of 191.6 mm, followed by Ernakulam South (172 mm), Alathur (143.7) and Ponnani (123 mm).
It said the current spell would continue till May 10, bringing heavy rain in a few places and very heavy rainfall in isolated places. Strong winds exceeding upto 60 kmph are also likely to lash some places across the state in the next 24 hours.