Four dead as torrential rains lash Kerala, IMD sounds red alert in five districts

Though Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were earlier placed under an orange alert, the IMD later upgraded the warning, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places there

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in five districts that were expected to see significant rainfall on Wednesday after severe rains pounded numerous parts of Kerala, killing four people. The red alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki, according to the meteorology agency. According to the most recent data, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) revealed that four deaths had been reported in various rain-related incidents from around the state.

Although an orange alert had previously been issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam, the IMD later raised the warning, anticipating exceptionally heavy rainfall in isolated spots there, according to a PTI report. An orange notice denotes very heavy rain between 11 and 20 cm, a yellow alert suggests heavy rainfall between 6 and 11 cm, and a red alert implies heavy to extremely heavy rain exceeding 20 cm in a 24-hour period. Kannur and Kasaragod are still on yellow alert, while Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad are still on orange alert, according to the IMD. In the meantime, Wednesday night's intense rains left sections of the Cochin city corporation in the Ernakulam district under water. Houses and major roads in parts of Kochi were flooded in the sudden rains, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city were also inundated.

Fishermen have been advised by the KSDMA not to go into the sea until further notice. According to officials, until Thursday night, high waves between 0.4 and 3.3 metres as well as sea incursions are predicted along Kerala's coast from Vizhinjam in the south to Kasaragod in the north. As part of measures to strengthen epidemic prevention actions, a state control room has been formed in the Health Department Directorate here in response to the persistently heavy rains, according to Health Minister Veena George. According to a statement from the minister, the control room has been established to facilitate the coordination of many initiatives within the Health Department and to address concerns raised by the public and medical professionals.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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