Thiruvananthapuram, July 20 (IANS) With the monsoon getting stronger in Kerala, the Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alerts for a few districts until Monday. While a red alert has been issued in Kasargode district today, Kozhikode and Wayanad are expected to get more rains tomorrow.
Already, three fishermen have been reported missing at sea since Thursday morning. According to officials, seven fishermen -- including three from Tamil Nadu -- had gone fishing from Neendakara in Kerala's Kollam district when their boat capsized at sea. While four of them swam for 12 kms and saved themselves, there was no word from three others.
Two rescue camps have been set up in Kannur district, after rains flooded certain low lying areas.
At Chellanam near Kochi, 80 homes were damaged by huge waves hitting the coast. However, the residents living near the sea shore were unwilling to move to the rescue camps.
"We won't move to any rescue camp. We demand a sea wall of rocks and stones, not plastic bags, which is of no use, as the waves have started going above it," said the angry residents.
The monsoon, which arrived a week late in June, was inactive and 40 per cent less than previous years so far. It is expected to improve in the second half of the season.
--IANS
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