Monsoon has intensified across Kerala bringing back memories of the August deluge the coastal state witnessed last year around this time. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued red alert for districts of Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode for Thursday, while Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod have recieved orange alert.
Monsoon has revived in Kerala after waning for a while and several parts of the state have been witnessing intense rains over the last few days. One death has been reported from Attappadi in Palakkad. Certain regions in Nilambur and Perinthalmanna areas of Malappuram district are flooded due to the heavy rainfall. The flooding has raised concerns as these regions were one of the firsts to be affected in last year's flood disaster. Fire brigade team conducting rescue operations in these areas, with people being ferried on inflated boats.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for an emergency meeting to assess the situation on Thursday. NDRF has informed that its five teams have been deployed in Kerala.
District-wise status:
Idukki
Heavy rains have been reported from Idukki district since Wednesday night. Water level in Mullperiyar dam is up by 2 feet. Munnar is inundated. Several houses have been submerged. Two shutters of the Malankara dam have been raised. The shutters of Kalarkutty and Lower Periyar dams were also lifted. The Munnar area in Idukki district has been inundated with several houses and vehicles submerged under water.
Kannur
As many as nine relief camps have been opened in Kannur district. According to district officials, 443 persons have been takien to the relief camps. Heavy rain continues in Iritty, Kottiyoor, Mayyil and Sreekandapuram. Landslides were reported in Karnataka forest regions, Adakkathodu and Nelliyodu. As many as 132 people have been relocated to relief camps in Ambayathodu.
Kottayam
Heavy rains are expected in Kottayam, which was accorded a yellow alert. Three rivers—Meenachil, Manimala and Azhutha—have breached their banks. Heavy rain continues in Kottayam. Landslides were reported from Peruvanthanam and Erattupetta.
Malappuram
Chaliyar river in Nilambur has breached its banks. The Kozhikode-Mysuru NH highway has been flooded. Traffic has been disrupted in Muthanga.
Pathanamthitta
Pamba Triveni river breaches its banks at Sabarimala.
Educational institutions shut in 7 districts
All educational institutions in Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargod and Kottayam districts, including professional colleges and Kendriya Vidyalayas, will remain closed on Thursday due to rains, the collectors in the respective districts informed. But there will not be any changes in the University examinations scheduled.
Flights diverted/cancelled
Air India Express flight bound for Doha, scheduled to arrive at 10.55am on Wednesday, was diverted to Kochi. Etihad has cancelled Friday's flight from Kozhikiode to Abu Dhabi.
Two flights have been diverted from Kozhikode International Airport. The Gulf Air flight from Bahrain has been diverted to Kochi, while the Etihad flight from Abu Dabhi has been diverted to Coimbatore
High alert
People have been advised against entering rivers and other water bodies that swell during heavy rains. Taking selfies should be avoided on bridges and river banks. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea owing to high winds.
The Met department has also issued landslide and flood warnings in the state. Travellers have been advised to avoid high ranges between 7pm and 7am due to chances of landslide.
State Police Chief Loknath Behra has asked district police chiefs to keep the forces ready for relief and rescue operations. He asked them to co-ordinate the activities with the distict adminsitration and the disaster management authority.
(With inputs from Onmanorama)
