With the onset of the northeast monsoon, Kerala continues to experience widespread heavy rain. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in nine districts on Saturday.

The spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar Dam have been opened as a precautionary measure following a steady rise in the water level. Out of the 13 spillway shutters, three were lifted early this morning, releasing 1,063 cubic feet of water per second. 

Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas caused a rapid increase in the dam’s water level, which crossed 137 feet early today. Following this, Tamil Nadu authorities announced their decision to open the shutters.

Officials stated that there is no cause for concern at present as the water level in the Periyar River remains low. Depending on the rise in water level, more shutters may be opened if necessary.

District Collector has urged residents on both banks of the Periyar River to remain alert. Directions have been issued to the respective Tahsildars to relocate people from areas prone to flooding. Idukki Sub-Collector has been assigned to coordinate disaster management operations.

Waterlogging has been reported in several parts of Idukki, where heavy rain continues to lash the district. Houses at Kakki Kavala in Vandiperiyar were flooded, forcing residents to move to relief camps. 

A traveller van parked in front of the SBI Bank at Kootar, was swept away in a flash flood. The vehicle, owned by Reji of Elamthara, Third Camp, was unoccupied at the time of the incident. The heavy rainfall that began around 8 pm last night, have caused flash floods in the region resulting in extensive damage and landslides in the Nedumkandam–Kootar region.

The IMD has also warned of squally weather along the Kerala coast, with wind speeds reaching 35 to 45 kmph and gusts up to 55 kmph. Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the sea as rough conditions are likely to prevail along and off the Kerala coast and adjoining sea areas.

According to the IMD, the upper air cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area, extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, persists. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area off the Kerala–Karnataka coast around October 18. It is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression within 48 hours.

The system over the Comorin area has now weakened into a trough of low pressure, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Another trough runs from the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area to the southwest Bay of Bengal, across the Comorin region and Sri Lanka.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the following districts:

• October 18: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
• October 19: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod.
• October 20: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod.
• October 21: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod.

Authorities have urged residents in hilly and low-lying areas to remain vigilant as the state braces for more heavy rain in the coming days.