The toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala has risen to 25, The Hindu reported on Wednesday. Four persons were missing.

While rainfall had reduced, the state was expecting another spell of intense rain by the weekend because of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, the newspaper reported.

The state has been receiving heavy and incessant rainfall since Friday, triggering flash floods and landslides.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of central Travancore region, including Ernakulam, Idukki and parts of Kottayam, and in the northern districts of Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, the newspaper reported.

The rest of the state is likely to receive above-normal rainfall, except Thiruvananthapuram and parts of Kollam.

Four-hundred and eighteen relief camps were operating in the state, sheltering more than 18,400 persons, The Hindu reported.

An ex-gratia payment of Rs 8 lakh will be made to the families of those who died, Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Monday. A compensation of Rs 12 lakh will be given to those who lost their homes and land due to landslides. Families will be provided Rs 6 lakh to reconstruct their homes.

He also announced that the state government will provide Rs 10,000 in funeral expenses to the families of those who died. Persons returning home from relief camps would receive Rs 10,000 as an immediate measure.

Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.

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