Flood leaves Kerala’s tourism, plantation sectors battered

Rain pounded several parts of Kerala on Monday, triggering landslips and compounding the woes of people already reeling under unprecedented floods and downpour which have claimed 39 lives in the last six days.

Just as the tourism sector was recovering from cancellation of bookings at hotels and resorts following the Nipah outbreak, the rain and floods came as a huge blow. The state’s tourism department was all set to organise the famed snake boat races in a new format — Champion’s Boat League — from August 11. The event has been postponed.

Ajit BK, secretary of the Association of Planters of Kerala, said tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber planters have suffered losses of about Rs 600 crore so far.

Meanwhile, landslides were reported from various places in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Idukki and Wayanad districts, as nearly one lakh people rendered homeless due to the deluge took refuge in hundreds of relief camps. In some respite, water in the Idukki dam receded to 2,397.58 ft, alleviating concerns about floods in fresh downstream areas, particularly in Ernakulam district.

The Home Ministry’s National Emergency Response Centre said in New Delhi that 187 people have lost their lives due to the monsoon fury in Kerala, with 2,406 villages in 14 districts badly hit by rain and floods. The weatherman issued a fresh warning asking fishermen not to venture into the sea, saying the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep may experience strong winds.