Kottayam: Kerala is likely to see a spell of heavy rainfall in the coming days.
On Sunday, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Kasaragod, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a yellow alert in these districts.
As per the IMD forecast, isolated heavy rainfall (in the range of 64.5mm to 115.5mm) is likely in these districts.
The southwest monsoon has been very active in the State with most places getting heavy rains.
In the last 24 hours, Vaikom in Kottayam district received over 12 cm of rain. Alappuzha and Mavelikkara got 11 cm of rainfall each. Cherthala received 10 cm and parts of Ernakulam over eight cm.
Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely over the southeast Arabian Sea.
Fishermen are advised not to set out to sea during the period, said the IMD.
A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours. An orange alert means very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm while a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged those in areas affected by landslides, mudslides and floods in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and those living in areas identified as hazardous areas or uninhabitable areas to take caution.
Those in the disaster risk area should have an emergency kit ready immediately. Instructions for preparing the kit are available here.
In case of heavy rains, do not cross rivers, bathe in rivers or other bodies of water for fishing or any other purpose.
Completely avoid night trekking to hilly areas.
The IMD has also sounded an orange alert for Wednesday in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki. These districts were on Orange alert on Sunday also (August 7).
Water level at Idukki dam
The water level at the Idukki dam rose by 0.14ft and now rests at 2370.46ft from sea level. Same time last year, the water level was at 2353.30ft.
