Heavy rainfall lashes Kerala, red alert issued for 7 districts
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high alert has been sounded in Kerala for the next two days as heavy rain lashed many parts of the state crippling normal life, and disrupting the assembly by-election in Ernakulam, one of the five seats where bypolls were held on Monday.
The India Metrological Department has sounded red alert in seven districts, and warned of “extremely high rainfall” in the next two days. Some of the areas in Kochi are likely receive up to 30 cm of rainfall, it said. Train and road services were thrown out of gear in many places, and power supply was affected in Kochi.
“A low-pressure in the Arabian Sea is getting strengthened and it is likely to intensify in the next two days. Rains are likely to be accompanied by strong winds and lightning,” said Dr K Santhosh, director, IMD, Thiruvananthapuram. After the IMD warning, the state government has alerted the districts concerned and directed collectors to open relief camps after gauging the situation.
“We are keeping a strict vigil. It is the duty of all to listen to the warning of authorities. Nothing to panic, but be prepared for more downpours,” chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post. Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad are districts put on red alert. Several long-distance trains were stopped at many places. In Ernakulam, train services were suspended after tracks were submerged and water entered the
Ernakulam railway station. At least six districts had announced holiday for educational institutions in view of the inclement weather. The Cochin International Airport, which was closed during last year’s floods — the worst in a century — was spared this time. People living in low-lying areas and landslide-prone places have been advised to shift to safer places. In August too, the state had witnessed torrential rain and landslides claiming more than 120 lives.