Rains lash Kerala; orange alert issued

Several low-lying areas waterlogged

Thiruvananthapuram, June 2: Heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala on Tuesday, a day after the southwest monsoon set in, while an “orange” alert has been sounded for four districts, including the state capital where several low lying areas were waterlogged.

Three northern districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod are the others brought under orange alert — warning of heavy rainfall ranging from 6.4 cm to 11.5 cm to very heavy rainfall of 11.5 cm to 20.4 cm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Yellow alert (possibilityof isolated heavy rainfall) has been issued to seven districts on Tuesday.

The southwest monsoon, which marks the commencement of the four-month long rainy season in the country, hit the Kerala coast on June 1, its normal onset date, triggering downpour in several parts of the state, which was battered by rain fury in the past two years that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage. Vatakara in

Kozhikode district received 19 cm rainfall in the 24 hours ended 8.30 am on Tuesday, an India Meteorological Department bulletin said.

It was followed by Kannur 12.97 cm, Thiruvananthapuram 11.3 cm rains, Thiruvananthapuram airport 13.1 cm and Alappuzha recorded 4.4 cm.

The state capital and nearby areas have received heavy rains last night and on Tuesday morning and many low lying areas have come under sheets of water.

Fishermen have been warned against venturing into South Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and along Kerala coast in the next 24 hours.

◗ THREE NORTHERN districts of Kozhikode, Ka-nnur and Kasaragod are the others brought under orange alert — warning of heavy rainfall ranging from 6.4 cm to 11.5 cm to very heavy rainfall of 11.5 cm to 20.4 cm