The India Meteorological Department (IMD) extended red alert on four districts of Kerala on Monday amid extremely heavy rainfall. Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts witnessed extremely heavy rainfall on Monday, receiving above 20 cm rain.
IMD said heavy or very heavy rain is expected across all districts in the state till May 23. Meteorologists say the rain is likely to intensify in the state if the low pressure reaches the Bay of Bengal on May 24. In such a scenario, the monsoon which was predicted to hit the Thiruvananthapuram coast on May 31 may arrive a few days early.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam districts were on orange alert for isolated heavy rainfall or very heavy rainfall.
The state government has opened 24x7 emergency operation centres in all district collectorates and taluk offices to take appropriate measures. Tourists have also been given warnings amid extreme climate conditions. People in flood-prone areas have been told to evacuate to safer locations.
Three other southern districts were put on orange alert while the remaining central and northern districts were on yellow alert.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority warned of heavy rain in Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Palakkad districts. Waterlogging and tree uprooting were reported in several localities. The health department has issued warning regarding potential outbreak of epidemics and directed hospitals to ensure availability of medicines.
In Kottayam, the collector has prohibited night travel in the district's hilly areas on May 20 and 21.
