IMD issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts for Sunday and Monday, and orange alerts for four other districts.
A rainy day in Vembanad lake. Photo: Supplied
As heavy rains lashed many parts of Kerala, authorities on Sunday, 19 May, urged people, particularly those living in hilly and coastal areas, to exercise vigil.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts for Sunday and Monday, and sounded orange alerts for four other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam, for these days.
IMD predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 km/h at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala till 1 pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai issued a “red alert” for Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Theni districts on Sunday and Monday.
A red alert indicates extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours.
The Idukki District Collector has ordered a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn.
“Strict instructions have been issued to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and Tehsildars to implement the ban effectively,” an official statement said.
Mining activities have been banned in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts in view of the forecast for heavy rain.
The southern district of Thiruvananthapuram experienced heavy rains on Saturday night, leading to waterlogging in the city and its suburbs, affecting normal life.
Visuals aired by news channels showed that houses and shops were flooded in some parts. Due to the non-completion of the Smart City Road, waterlogging has worsened in many places.
In some areas, canals crisscrossing the capital city and its suburbs overflowed.
The affected people alleged that the lack of pre-monsoon cleaning of canals and drainage systems was the reason for the waterlogging in the capital city and its suburbs.
Rains continued to lash many parts of Tamil Nadu, as the regional weather office on Sunday forecast extremely heavy rain in Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Theni districts.
Jamunamarathur in the Tiruvannamalai district and Pechiparai in Kanniyakumari received 12 cm and 10 cm rainfall, respectively, during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday.
The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has asked tourists visiting places like Udhagamanadalam (Ooty), Tenkasi, Hogenakkal (Dharmapuri dt) and others in the western ghats to follow safety instructions and precautions.
(With PTI inputs)
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