Kerala Rains: Incessant rains accompanied by gusty winds battered several parts of Kerala on Tuesday, bringing normal life to a standstill. The continuous downpour since early morning resulted in the inundation of numerous narrow lanes and busy roads in Kochi and adjacent areas. The situation forced many residents to remain indoors as flooded roads hindered movement.
In the port city, vehicles crawled along the highways, and significant waterlogging was reported in the Kakkanad-Infopark and Aluva-Edappally areas, news agency PTI reported. The capital district of Thiruvananthapuram also faced heavy rains since Monday night, leading to the uprooting of trees and overflowing streams in its villages.
A house in Neyyattinkara was severely damaged after an uprooted tree fell on it during the heavy rains. In the high ranges of the district, areas such as Nedumangadu, Neyyattinkara, Kattakkada, and Amboori experienced widespread rainfall, PTI's report stated. Locals reported that a portion of a hill behind the renowned Bali mandapam at Papanasam in Varkala caved in due to the heavy rains.
The eco-tourism centre in the hill station of Ponmudi was closed following adverse weather conditions. With heavy rains continuing in the rural areas of Thiruvananthapuram, district authorities have raised the shutters of Aruvikkara dam up to 90 cm, with plans to raise them to 150 cm if the downpour persists. Authorities have advised people living nearby to remain vigilant, as per the report.
Coastal areas experienced high tides and rough seas, posing threats to fishing vessels. Two incidents of boat capsizing were reported off the coasts of Muthalapozhi, a fishing hamlet about 30 kilometres from the city. In one incident, a fisherman lost his life when his boat overturned due to high tidal waves. Three others who also fell into the sea were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, according to the police, PTI reported.
ALSO READ | Hyderabad Tourists Drive Into Stream In Kerala While Following Google Maps
Kerala Rains: IMD Sounds Red Alert For Kottayam, Ernakulam
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has put Kottayam and Ernakulam districts under red alert today. An orange alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Idukki, while Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode were given a yellow alert, as per latest IMD update.
has predicted moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph in parts of Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. Moderate rainfall is expected in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts, while isolated light rainfall is forecast for Palakkad and Kannur districts.
Writer M Leelavathi's House Flooded
Amidst the heavy rains, the house of eminent Malayalam writer and literary critic M Leelavathi in Kalamassery was severely damaged. The relentless downpour flooded the two-story house, destroying hundreds of books, furniture, electronic equipment, and kitchen utensils. Books and magazines, neatly arranged on shelves, were found floating in knee-deep water, and several shields presented to the 96-year-old academician over the years were seen adrift, PTI reported.
Leelavathi moved to her son's house as the situation worsened. "The sight of the flood waters entering her house and damaging her belongings was heart-wrenching," a source close to her told PTI. A scientist from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) suggested that a cloudburst could be the cause of the heavy downpour in the Kalamassery area.
The severe weather has significantly disrupted life across Kerala, with authorities and residents alike grappling with its aftermath.]