Updates: 17 lives lost by rain in Andhra, 4 including 3 children died in building collapse in Anantapur

Rain has wreaked havoc in South India including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the past one week. So far 17 people have died due to floods and rains in Andhra, while more than 100 people are missing. A 3-storey old building collapsed in Kadiri town of Anantapur district late on Friday night. An elderly woman, including three children, died after being buried under the rubble of the building. Still 4 people are trapped here. Rescue operation is on.

At the same time, the Sabarimala pilgrimage has been banned for a day on Saturday after heavy rains in Kerala. This has caused dismay among the devotees of Lord Ayyappa.

Pathanamthitta Collector Divya S Iyer said that it is raining continuously in the district. Due to this the water level of Pamba river has increased. Besides the Pamba dam, the water in the Kakki-Anathode dam in the district is also above the danger mark. The administration has issued a red alert for the people living nearby.Collector Divya said that the devotees of Lord Ayyappa have been appealed not to go on pilgrimage today. Pilgrims who have booked online will be given a chance as soon as the weather is fine.