Thiruvananthapuram: Incessant rain accompanied by gusty winds and lightning lashed isolated places across Kerala leaving low-lying areas inundated. IMD has revised the alerts in view of the incessant rainfall in the state. An orange alert is sounded for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts on Sunday. Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki districts have been placed under orange alert on Monday.
An orange alert indicates heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.
The Central Water Commission has issued a flood warning for three rivers in the district. CWC has sounded an orange alert for Vellaikkadavu station under the Karamana river and a yellow alert for Aruvippuram station under the Neyyar river and Ayilam station under the Vamanapuram river. People residing close to these rivers are advised to remain vigilant.
As per the India Meteorological Department's alert, heavy rain will continue to batter Kerala till October 18 under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over southern Tamil Nadu. The cyclonic circulation is likely to intensify and turn into a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea by October 17, the IMD alert said.
Yellow alert in districts
October 15 : Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
October 16: Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
October 17 : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
Rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is expected in these districts within 24 hours of respective dates.
Public advised to stay vigilant
Kerala Disaster Management Authority has advised the people residing in hilly areas and places prone to mudslide and landslide to exercise extreme caution. People are also restricted from venturing into rivers and other water bodies during heavy rain. Trips to hilly areas during night are also banned.
Those who are occupying houses under decay are also advised to shift to safe places after contacting the concerned officials.
Waterlogging hits traffic
Kochi, the busiest city in the state, has been witnessing severe water-logging since Saturday. Town and low-lying areas in Thiruvananthapuram are also reeling under water. Manorama News reported that people were shifted from flooded houses at Kazhakkoottam.
In Thiruvananthapuram's Chakka, water logging on the road disrupted traffic since Saturday morning. Manorama News reported that small vehicles like two-wheelers, cars and autorickshaws are struggling to cross this road. Some accidents were also reported in several parts of the district. In Sreekaryam, the compound wall collapsed and fell over houses. But no casualties have been reported so far.
In Kochi, water logging disrupted the movement of people as well as traffic on MG Road and Kaloor. Several houses and roads were inundated at Ranni in Pathanamthitta. It is learnt that southern Kerala has been witnessing heavy to moderate rainfall since Friday. At several places, road traffic was interrupted after big trees uprooted and fell across the roads.
Fishermen and coastal residents are advised to exercise extreme caution as there are chances for sea incursion. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has predicted that high tidal waves and sea incursion may hit the Kerala coast on Sunday till 9.30 pm.
Coastal residents have been advised to shift to safer locations as per the instructions of the authorities. People are also restricted from visiting beaches and venturing into the sea for boat rides.
“Waterlogging may occur in low-lying areas and cities across the state. So, public and government systems should remain vigilant to avoid untoward incidents,” alerted IMD.
IMD has cautioned the residents in hilly areas to stay vigilant as there are chances for heavy rainfall in the coming days.
