Thiruvananthapuram: Widespread rainfall is expected in Kerala during the next five days according to a prediction by The India Meteorological Department (IMD). This is due to a cyclonic circulation prevailing over northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas.
The heavy rains in the state a day ago, caused landslides in various parts of Idukki district of Kerala and resulted in the loss of life and damage to several homes. The IMD said widespread moderate to medium rainfall was likely to occur in Kerala during the next five days. Heavy rains were likely at isolated places in the state between November 6 and 9.
The IMD issued an orange alert in Ernakulam and Palakkad districts of the state for the day. It also issued yellow alerts in nine districts of the state. An orange alert means very heavy rains from 12 cm to 20 cm of rain and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm. Heavy rains in the state on November 5 caused landslides in some parts of the high-range Idukki district, resulting in the loss of one life. A 55-year-old man died when his home in ward 7 of the Santhanpara grama panchayat was washed away in the landslide, an official said. The loss of life was revealed on Monday morning, he said. Besides that, a few homes were badly damaged and roads were obstructed in that area due to the landslides, he said, adding that the panchayat president and secretary were visiting the site.
Presently, there has been no rain in the area since morning. Meanwhile, the Idukki district administration said that the Collector too would visit the area. The district administration also restricted night-time travel on the Munnar-Kumily state highway between Udumbanchola and Cheriyar areas of the district in view of the danger of landslides occurring in those parts. It has restricted travel on that route between 7 pm to 6 am from November 8 onwards till further notice. Last month, most parts of Kerala received normal rainfall with a few receiving much more than that. The districts of Alappuzha and Ernakulam received excess rainfall, while Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta got large excess rainfall, according to data on IMD website. Wayanad was the only district in the state which received deficient rainfall in the last month upto November 5. Excess rainfall means a 20 percent to 59 percent increase from the normal value for the season. A large excess indicates an increase of 60 percent and more rainfall from the normal value.
(With inputs from PTI)
