After a sluggish early monsoon in Kerala, the state is likely to witness isolated extremely heavy rainfall from Tuesday to Thursday (August 2-4), predicted India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather forecasting department issued an orange alert for seven districts on Monday, while it sounded an alert for eight districts on Tuesday (August 2), and 12 districts on Wednesday and Thursday (August 3 & 4).
Meanwhile, CM Pinarayi Vijayan also urged people to be vigilant as the weather department warned of heavy rains which can trigger flash floods and landslides in parts of the state. "As the India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rains in the state for the next five days, people should be very vigilant," CM Vijayan said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The police, fire brigade and other government agencies were instructed to be alert. Ponmudi, Kallar, Mankayam tourist spots are closed as the torrential rains hit the region. People have been advised to evacuate from places prone to landslides.
Overall four persons were killed in rain-related incidents in Kerala on Monday. Three were killed as a car lost control and fell into a stream in Thiruvalla. Meanwhile, one person died and another sustained injuries after being swept away in flash floods in Kumbhavurutty Falls in Kerala.
Educational Institutions Shut In Two Districts
As heavy rains continue to lash Kerala, District Collectors of Pathanamthitta and Kollam have declared holiday for educational institutions on Monday in certain taluks in their respective districts. In other parts of Kerala like in Ernakulam district, all departments were asked to be prepared and fishermen have been instructed not to go to sea.
Due to incessant rains and flooding of major roads at Ernakulam, the regular sitting at the Kerala High Court have commenced only at 11 AM on Monday while the regular sitting starts at 10.15 AM.