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Three deaths in 24 hours as monsoon showers return to Kerala after a lull; IMD issues orange alert for 4 districts

The IMD has issued an orange alert for four North Kerala districts, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, for Monday.

BySreerag PS

Published Jul 24, 2023 | 3:05 PM ⚊UpdatedJul 24, 2023 | 5:07 PM

The Southwest monsoon has intensified its spell after a brief gap in widespread rains in Kerala.

The southwest monsoon intensified in Kerala after a lull with heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashing several parts of the state since Sunday, 23 July.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for four North Kerala districts, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, for Monday.

Another eight districts, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram, have been put on yellow alert.

Districts authorities in Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kannur declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Monday.

Three rain-related deaths were reported from Wayanad and Thrissur on Sunday.

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Rains to continue till 28 July

The IMD predicted the state to receive light to moderate rainfall till Friday, 28 July.

It attributed the rainfall to a cyclonic circulation in the lower and middle troposphere over central Madhya Pradesh and South Odisha and its neighbourhood.

“A cyclonic circulation lies over west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal between 5.8 and 7.6 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region during the next 24 hours,” the weather department said.

Three deaths

Two minor boys, Hadhi and Hashir, drowned in a water body while going to a tuition class in Wayanad on Sunday. In another incident, a youngster drowned in Thrissur.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said a few relief camps have been opened in Idukki, Wayanad, and Kasaragod districts. As many as 38 people were shifted to these camps.

The authority also said that several trees were uprooted across the state, damaging houses and other buildings.

On Sunday, Wayanad District Collector Renu Raj issued an advisory to parents, urging them to take extreme caution when children go out.

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Rise in water levels

River water levels as of 24 July. (KSDMA)

According to Central Water Commission data published by the KSDMA, the water levels in most rivers in the state were rising.

Increased water levels were recorded by various stations of rivers Periyar (Idukki), Neyyar (Aruvippuram), Meenachil (Kidangoor), Pamba (Malakkara and Madamon), and Manimalayar (various stations in Kottayam district) and Bharathappuzha (Kumbidi and Mankara).

Since 2019, the KSDMA publishes the Orange Book of Disaster Management that issues directives to each department on monsoon preparedness.