Due to heavy rains in Kerala, red alert has been issued for 8 districts

Due to heavy rains in Kerala, a red alert has been issued for 8 districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a high alert in eight parts of Kerala on Thursday as heavy rains continue to lash various parts of Kerala. Many people have fled their homes due to flooding of rivers and inundation of surrounding areas.

Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Kannur districts have been issued a red alert for the day and an orange alert has been issued in other districts except for Thiruvananthapuram.

A red alert means more than 20 cm of heavy to very heavy rain in 24 hours, while an orange alert means 6 cm to 20 cm of rain. A yellow warning indicates heavy rainfall of 6 to 11 cm.

Periyar, the state's longest river, overflowed, inundating the surrounding villages. Other rivers including Chalakkudi, Pampa, Manimala, and Achankovil are nearing the danger level due to continuous rains.

Heavy rains caused landslides in some parts of the state and affected road traffic.

Chief Minister  Pinarayi Vijayan has warned encroachers along the banks of the  Chalakkudi waterway to be ready to vacate as per the instructions of experts. He also asked people living in low-lying areas of Thrissur and Ernakulam to be cautious.

He also said that night travel in hilly areas is prohibited as it is dangerous.

According to a statement issued by the chief minister's office, the water level of 6 major dams in Ponmudi, Lower Periyar, Kallarkutty, Erattayar, and Kundala in Idukki and Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta has reached the danger level.

6 shutters of Malankara Dam in Idukki were opened to the extent of 100 centimeters at 6 am, the district officials said.

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