Six killed in heavy rains

Heavy rains lashing Kerala since yesterday have claimed at least six lives, including that of five persons from Tamil Nadu, who drowned in Pozhiyoor estuary.
Police recovered the bodies of 34-year-old woman, Thayuba, her daughter Sabura (13) and 3 other children-- Salahudeen (14), Fathima (12) and Marhaba (14), all relatives, this morning. They were washed away in the rough seas in the sea off Pozhiyoor yesterday.
The five were part of a 20-member group of tourists from Melapalayam in Tirunelveli district, who had reached Pozhiyoor estuary in Poovar in two boats, police said.
Search operations went on till late last night and had to be called off due to bad weather.

Fishermen who had put out to sea first found bodies of two children and later other bodies were retrieved.
In another incident, a 25-year-old youth, who was on his way to write the Public Service Examination, was killed when the branch of a tree fell on him while he was riding his motorcycle.
Rail tracks were waterlogged in several places with trains being held up today in some places.
MeT department sources said heavy rains will continue in south Kerala tomorrow also. Fishermen have been asked not to put out to sea due to the rough weather. Tourists have also been advised not to go for boating trips.