Red alert on as heavy rain pounds Kerala

TRIVANDRUM: Kerala started shiting people from disaster-prone areas to camps as heavy rains continued to lash for the second consecutive day on Sunday, mainly in northern districts.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Idukki.

The National Disaster Response Force has also been deployed in these districts that had borne the brunt of the back-to-back floods in the last two years.

The current spell was influenced by a lowpressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal triggered by the tropical storm Noul. The IMD predicted rainfall above 20.4 cm.

The state weather forecasters have also issued an orange alert of hety rainfall of 1120cm for Kotayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

The state capital here will receive isolated rains. The current spell will continue for three more days.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority asked people living in both hilly and low-lying areas to be vigilant against landslides and floods.

“There are chances of heavy winds that could uproot trees. Fishers should not venture into the sea,” it said in a press release.

“People should move to the camps before the sunset as chances of terrific rains and landslides are high during the night time.”

The authorities have banned traffic at night in hilly areas, from 7 pm to 7 am. The camps will strictly follow the COVID-19 protocol as infections are spreading fast.

The camps will be divided into four under the categories of people with symptoms, those who are in quarantine, vulnerable to morbidities and the general public.

The SDMA also warned people against crossing rivers, taking baths or fishing or any such activities in the streams. There are chances of dams releasing excess water.

IMD has also issued an impact-based bulletin warning of possible events in central and north Kerala.

Meanwhile, health minister KK Shailaja said the government had launched an “oxygen audit” daily to ensure regular supply to COVID-19 patients.

“Because of the infection-related breathing difficulty, the oxygen level in the patient’s blood comes dangerously down, according to reports,” she said.

“We need 7.63 metric tonnes of oxygen, and we have ensured the availability of enough stock now. We have distributed 21,000 fingertips and 600 desktop oximeters as well.”