Thiruvananthapuram: At least 16 persons were killed and several injured as torrential rains battered Kerala triggering landslips and flash floods leaving a trail of devastation in its wake for the second day today (August 4, 2004).

Ten persons, belonging to two families residing in neighbouring houses, were killed, when a landslip at Nellikunnu on Kuttiyadi-Thottilapalam route in Kozhikode district razed their houses. The victims included three women and five children.

A couple and their three children were killed when gushing waters from a collapsed private check-dam submerged their home at Kulamavu in the high range Idukki district.

A 14-year-old schoolboy died when a concrete slab collapsed and fell on his head while he was waiting in a bus shelter at Neamom near Thiruvanathapuram. Two others were admitted to the medical college hospital here with injuries.

Reports from across the State said 315 houses were damaged fully and 2059 houses partly destroyed, while heavy rains and landslips ravaged large stretches of farmland.

About 1000 persons were shifted to relief camps, opened at Idukki, Kasargode and Waynad districts.

State Revenue Minister K M Mani said Rs 80 crore had been sanctioned for district collectors to take up urgent relief and rescue measures.