Heavy rain continues in Kerala, orange alert in 5 districts, 3 dams opened

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to receive rain or thundershowers until August 20, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. Orange alerts have been issued for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts, forecasting very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm. A yellow alert has been declared for the remaining districts, with expected rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

River, dam alerts
Palakkad: With the Siruvani Dam crossing its permitted water level, sluice shutters have been raised from 50 cm to 100 cm since 2 pm on Sunday. Residents along the Siruvani and Bhavani rivers have been asked to remain cautious.

Wayanad
The spillway shutters of the Banasurasagar Dam will be raised by 10 cm at 8 am on Sunday, with water released gradually from 8.5 cumecs up to 50 cumecs, the Executive Engineer announced. Residents along the Karaman stream, Panamaram River, and low-lying areas have been advised to remain cautious.

Ernakulam: Owing to heavy inflow into the Bhoothathankettu Barrage, authorities have decided to open the remaining eight shutters of the total 15, one after another. People living along the Periyar river have been urged to stay alert.

Pathanamthitta: Increased inflow into the Kakki-Anathode Dam, part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project, led to four shutters being raised by 30–60 cm since Sunday noon. This has resulted in water being released into the Pampa river, which may rise by up to 30 cm. Residents along the Pampa and Kakkat rivers, as well as low-lying areas, have been warned to remain vigilant.

The District Collector has issued an order temporarily prohibiting pilgrims and the public from entering the Pampa River at Pampa Triveni and other points, as well as from using bathing ghats.

Wind warning
Strong surface winds at 40–50 kmph are likely over Kerala and Lakshadweep from August 16 to 18.

Advisory for fishermen
Squally weather with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, may prevail along the Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep coasts until August 18. Fishermen have been advised to avoid these sea areas during the period.

Orange alert in districts 
Aug 17 - Kannur, Kasaragod
Aug 18 - Kannur, Kasaragod
Aug 19 - Kasaragod

Yellow alert in districts 
Aug 17 - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
Aug 18 - Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
Aug 19 - Kozhikode, Kannur
Aug 20 - Kannur, Kasaragod