India: Violent monsoon rains kill 17

Heavy rains continued to lash parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra even on Friday. Report informs citing the RIA Novosti.

17 people were killed by the incessant downpour while over 20,000 people have been evacuated from the rain-affected areas in Kerala. Cochin International Airport has decided to shut operations until Sunday in the wake of heavy rainfall. Several trains have been cancelled and buses are keeping off from waterlogged roads. The state government declared holiday for schools in all districts. Two most popular tourist destinations in Kerala — Idukki and Wayanad are severely affected.