Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated heavy rainfall across Kerala for the next five days.

Tuesday saw various parts of the state being battered by rain, especially Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Idukki. Thunderstorms were reported from many regions and winds up to 40 km/h were recorded.

IMD issued an orange alert in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur on Tuesday and a yellow alert for the remaining districts. An orange alert is issued when rainfall received is between 6 and 20 cm, while a yellow alert is sounded when a region receives rainfall between 6 and 11 cm.

Night travel has been prohibited in hilly regions. Activities like boating have been halted for the time being.

Ernakulam, Kottayam declare holiday for schools

Ernakulam Collector Dr Renu Raj and Kottayam Collector Dr P K Jayasree declared Wednesday a holiday for all educational institutions in their respective districts owing to a heavy rainfall forecast from IMD. However, university exams will be held as scheduled in Kottayam.

The shutters of Malampuzha dam will be raised at 9 am on Wednesday. Those living on the banks of Kalpathipuzha and Bharathapuzha have been directed to take precautions as there will be an increase in the water level. 

Waterlogging in Kochi

Downpour and waterlogging threw life out of gear in Ernakulam district on Tuesday. Several parts of Kochi, including MG Road, and Puthenkurish and Varikoli were inundated after the rains.

In Kochi city, Vytilla, Edapally and Palarivattom areas witnessed huge traffic blocks on Tuesday morning as the roads were flooded.

Mayor Anil Kumar said it was the worst case of waterlogging witnessed in the city. "We are unable to pump out the water. The water has not receded to the sea either," he added.

Trains delayed

Train services were affected due to the waterlogged railway tracks and faulty signals at Ernakulam stations. While Kollam-Ernakulam Memu ended its service at Thrippunithara station, the Mangala Express stopped service at Ernakulam town. Parasuram Express was diverted to go via Ernakulam Town station.

Many long distance trains were also delayed. 

On Monday, incessant rains battered Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts. Ayiroor in Pathanamthitta received the highest rainfall of 154.2 mm in just five hours.

The IMD recorded 131 mm of rain in Kudayathoor near Thodupuzha, the site of the landslide, till 7 am on Monday. All five members of a family, who were trapped under debris following the landslide, were found dead.

Meanwhile, the Pampady region in Kottayam witnessed the highest rainfall in 15 years with 117.4 mm.