4 Dead As Torrential Rains Wreak Havoc In Kerala, 'Red Alert' Issued In These 5 Districts

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) stated that four deaths have been reported from across the state in various rain-related incidents.

A day after torrential rains lashed several parts of Kerala, killing at least four people, the India Meteorological Department issued an ‘orange’ alert in the state in view of very heavy rainfall on May 23. According to the weather department, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in several isolated parts of Kerala. However, IMD has specifically sound a 'red alert' for five districts including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki.

The red alert was issued by the weather department on Wednesday in these five districts as they were likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall.  

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) stated that four deaths have been reported from across the state in various rain-related incidents, news agency PTI reported.

Earlier, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were placed under an 'orange' alert, but the IMD later upgraded the warning to red alert, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places in these regions.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours. An orange alert indicates very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, while a yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

"Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad continue to be on orange alert, while Kannur and Kasaragod remain on yellow alert," the weather department stated.

Following the heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, various parts of the Cochin city corporation in Ernakulam were inundated. Besides this, the low-lying areas of Thrissur city were also inundated. The torrential rains flooded the houses and major roads in parts of Kochi as well, news agency PTI reported.

“Heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on May 24 and May 25. Thunderstorms accompanied with gusty winds and lightning likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala from May 23 to May 26,” the IMD bulletin said.

In view of the incessant rain, the KSDMA has issued a warning for the fishermen against venturing into sea until further warning is issued.

According to IMD, high waves ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 metres and sea incursions have been forecast along Kerala's coast from Vizhinjam in the south to Kasaragod in the north until the night of May 23.

As part of efforts to bolster epidemic prevention activities that might arise due to incessant heavy rains, the Health Department Directorate has opened a state control room, Health Minister Veena George stated.

The primary objective of the state control room is coordinating various activities under the Health Department and clearing the doubts of health workers and public, George said in a statement.