KOCHI/IDUKKI: Heavy rains caused serious damage in various parts of Kerala. A biker died after getting stuck in mud near Kumily in Idukki. Heavy rains and flash floods that occurred in Ernakulam after midnight on Saturday caused heavy damage in the city. 145 mm of rain fell at the Ernakulam boat jetty within hours. 139.5 mm of rain fell at the Durbar Hall ground and 117 mm in Mattancherry. Water entered shops and houses at Ernakulam South Railway Station and M.G. Road, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees.

An accident took place at Vellaramkunnu near Kumily at around 10:30 on Saturday night. Thomas (Thankachan, 66) died. He lost control of his scooter while he was going home after closing his tea shop. Thomas fell onto the road into the dirt. Thomas, who was stuck in the mud due to heavy rain, could not get up. He was found by car passengers with his head stuck in the mud by the road. Thomas was immediately taken to a private hospital in Kattappana, but his life could not be saved.

Water level in Mullaperiyar reach 139.15 feet

The water level in the Mullaperiyar dam is not going down despite opening all 13 shutters and releasing water. The water level is 139.15 feet. 9521 cubic feet of water is flowing into the dam per second. The 13 shutters are raised 150 centimetres each. 8551 cubic feet of water is being released into the Periyar per second. 1655 cubic feet of water is also being transported to the Vaigai dam in Tamil Nadu through a tunnel. Still, the water level, which was 138.9 feet on Saturday night, crossed 139 yesterday. Houses on the banks of the Periyar have been flooded. The Ponmudi dam has also been opened.