Kerala’s Revenue Minister E Chandrashekeran confirmed death of two women and said over 2,600 people were evacuated after heavy rains battered several parts of the state.

Chandrashekeran told the media that districts like Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Kasargode and Idukki were the worst affected areas.

On Wednesday morning, a 50-year-old woman, Kara, died after a tree fell over her house in Palakkad district’s Attapady. Twenty-four-year-old lady Muthu fell unconscious and died after her house in Panamaram village in Wayanad was flooded. More than 400 people were evacuated from their houses in Nilambur area alone.

Fire brigade team conducted rescue operations after reports of flooding in Nilambur and Perinthalmanna areas of Malappuram district due to heavy rainfall in northern districts of the state.

“At the moment, 2,600 people have been kept in 47 relief camps in these places. Three teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have started their work at Malappuram, Wayanad and Idukki. We have requested 10 more teams, of which five from Arkonam in Tamil Nadu have started their journey,” said Chandrashekeran.

Nilambur police official AP Sunil told the media that while they transferred around 100 people to safer places, some have refused to leave their houses. “If they do not come out on their own, they will be forcefully taken out,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in the state till August 14. Red alerts have been issued for the day at Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.

Chief Minister P Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting with top government officials today to take stock of the situation, as parts of the state are facing flood-like situation due to incessant rainfall. District collectors have been directed to monitor the situation continuously.

Barring the state capital district and neighbouring Kollam, the remaining 12 districts of Kerala have been affected by the rains. Fishermen have also been warned not to visit the beaches because of the winds blowing at the speed of 40-50 km per hour.

Traffic on the Kannur-Kozhikode national highway and Kottayam-Kumili route have also been affected badly. Inbound tourists to Idukki district have been warned not to come till August 15 as the hilly district has been witnessing landslides at a few places.

Last month heavy rains had lashed several parts of Kerala as the southwest monsoon intensified in the state after a period of lull. The  IMD had issued orange and yellow alerts across various districts in the state.

In 2018, Kerala braved the worst floods in nearly a century that left some 370 people dead, more than a million people homeless and caused widespread destruction.