The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in five districts of Kerala as torrential rains have caused significant disruption and claimed four lives.
The districts affected by the red alert include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. The IMD’s highest level of alert indicates the expectation of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm within 24 hours. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has reported four fatalities due to various rain-related incidents across the state. Initially, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were under an orange alert, but the IMD upgraded these warnings in anticipation of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated locations within these districts. An orange alert predicts very heavy rain ranging from 11 cm to 20 cm, while a yellow alert forecasts heavy rain between 6 cm and 11 cm.
Other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, remain under orange alert, whereas Kannur and Kasaragod are on yellow alert. The heavy downpours have led to severe flooding in parts of the Cochin city corporation within Ernakulam district. Inundation has affected houses and major roads in Kochi, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city have also been flooded due to the sudden and intense rainfall.
In response to the severe weather conditions, the KSDMA has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea until further notice. Forecasts predict high waves ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 metres along Kerala’s coastline from Vizhinjam in the south to Kasaragod in the north, with potential sea incursions expected until Thursday night. The state government has taken proactive measures to manage the situation. Health Minister Veena George announced the establishment of a state control room within the Health Department Directorate. This control room is tasked with coordinating various health department activities and addressing concerns from both health workers and the public to bolster epidemic prevention efforts amid the ongoing heavy rains. These pre-emptive steps aim to mitigate the adverse effects of the severe weather conditions and ensure public safety. The government’s preparedness and the IMD’s timely alerts highlight the importance of coordinated efforts in managing natural disasters and safeguarding the well-being of Kerala’s residents.
