Unseasonal rain on Monday played spoilsport with polling in parts of Maharashtra, which is voting in Assembly elections, and Ernakulam district in Kerala, where an Assembly bypoll is being held.
In Maharashtra, media reports indicated a dip in voter turnout was observed in parts of Mumbai. Skymet Weather, a private forecaster, has warned of the possibility of disruption to polling from rains in Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur.
The Indian Meteorological Department had forecast rain, with thunder and lightning, for most of Monday for parts of Mumbai, Pune, Konkan and Marathwada regions. Anupam Kashyapi of the IMD's Pune office said the rains will mostly be light, butt could be accompanied by lightning and gusty winds.
In Kerala, the voter turnout in Ernakulam district was the lowest among the five Assembly constituencies where bypolls are being held due to heavy rainfall. At 10am, the voter turnout was 4.93 per cent in Ernakulam, less than half the turnout in the constituencies of Vattiyoorkav, Aroor, Konni and Manjeswaram.
Referring to the heavy rains in Ernakulam, state Chief Election Commissioner Teeka Ram Meena said booths may stay open longer than scheduled or polling even rescheduled if the situation worsened. However, a decision would be taken based on the report of the district collector.
Kerala to see more rains
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains are likely to continue in Kerala for the next two days. Orange alert has been declared in six districts for Monday and seven districts on Tuesday. It has been predicted that the state will receive rainfall of 64.5mm to 115.5mm in the next 24 hours.
The IMD has advised people to stay alert and fishermen to stay away from the sea. People living in landslide-prone areas have been advised to shift to relief centres. The rains are likely to be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. People have been advised to refrain from using electronic or electrical devices during the time.
Train services disrupted
Flooding at the Ernakulam Junction Railway station and Ernakulam Town Rail Station disrupted train services on Monday morning.
Several places in Kochi—MG Road, Edappally, Kaloor bus stand and Kaloor stadium—have also been flooded.
Holiday for schools, colleges
District collectors have declared a holiday for educational institutions in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts. However, professional colleges will function in Alappuzha and Thrissur.
In Kollam district, educational institutions in Kottarakara Taluk and Punalur municipal area will remain closed. The university exams will be conducted as scheduled.
Orange alert in districts
October 21: Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad
October 22: Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasargod
Yellow alert in districts
October 21: Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode
October 22: Kozhikode, Wayanad
October 23: Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode
October 24: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargod
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While yellow alerts are issued to notify those who are at risk, orange alerts are intended to ask those who are likely to be affected to be prepared and red alerts are intended to take action. As per the IMD, red alert is the gravest warning on deteriorating weather conditions.
(With inputs from onmanorama)
