Rain Fury In Kerala Causes Train Delays, IMD Issues Orange Alert In Four Districts — Updates

Rains continued to lash Kerala on Monday, despite a brief respite in the morning, with the IMD issuing an orange alert in four districts of the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for four districts in Kerala on Monday due to the continued rainfall. The districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Idukki were issued an orange alert, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging from 11 cm to 20 cm. A yellow alert was also issued for eight other districts, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 6 to 11 cm.

The IMD forecasted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds in several districts across the state, including Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

The ongoing rains have been attributed to cyclonic circulations over coastal Tamil Nadu, the Lakshadweep area, and the Southeast Arabian Sea adjacent to the Kerala coast, according to the department. These weather conditions are expected to last through Monday and Tuesday, bringing light to moderate rain as well as the possibility of isolated heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning.

Meanwhile, Kerala's Health Minister Veena George expressed concern about the spread of infectious diseases such as leptospirosis in flooded areas, news agency PTI reported. She emphasised the importance of being cautious and advised against self-medication. The health department is closely monitoring dengue and leptospirosis cases, and George has called for increased surveillance and awareness efforts.

To prevent leptospirosis infection in flooded areas and among rescue workers, the minister advised taking doxycycline tablets as prescribed by health professionals.

Water receded from several areas that had been flooded due to heavy rains over the previous few days during a brief break in the morning rain. However, some areas of Thiruvananthapuram remained waterlogged, resulting in train rescheduling and delays. The Thiruvananthapuram Central-New Delhi Kerala Express, for example, was rescheduled to depart in the evening because water levels at the Kochuveli pit line did not recede following the persistent rains.

A pit line is a track at a railway station where train coaches are inspected and any necessary repairs or maintenance is performed prior to their journey.