New Delhi: Several parts of Kerala have been witnessing incessant rainfall today. Five of its districts have been put on red alert while seven are under orange alert. Places such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha have been experiencing continuous rainfall for hours.
There was a minor cloud burst in Thrissur’s Chalakkudi, however, no casualties have been reported. Besides, the night ban has been extended in Idukki till October 21. Owing to IMD alerts night travel between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM was banned.
Reportedly, minor landslides took place in some of the hilly regions of the state.
A video clip showed a bus stuck amidst the waterlogged street, while passengers are struggling to get out of the bus, which evidently proved to be the most defining scenario the state is currently undergoing.
The Army and Air Force have stepped in to help the citizens at the request of the state government. Helicopters are on standby while all the bases of the Southern Air Command are under high alert. Army personnel has been stationed in several flood-affected areas. Besides, an army column has shifted to Kanjirappalliin Kottayam district from Pangode military station.
The five districts that are under red alert include Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur whereas seven districts experiencing orange alert are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Two districts have been put under yellow alert.
#WATCH Waterlogged street in Kanjirappally, Kottayam district as the area continues to receive heavy rainfall
IMD has issued a Red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts of Kerala pic.twitter.com/LocqwW3CfL
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2021
A video clipping from rural Kottayam shows that locals are pushing a car, however, they can barely move due to knee-deep water level on roads.
While another clipping shows some people trying to pull out a vehicle using a rope amidst the heavy rain.
Heavy rainfall alert in #Kerala. IMD issues red alert in 5 districts – Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur. Orange alert in 7 districts – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.
Shots of flooding in Rural Kottayam. pic.twitter.com/1b04Tkec2a
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 16, 2021
Dramatic visuals of people being evacuated from a KSRTC bus in Poonjar, rural #Kottayam. No loss of life reported, confirm officials. IMD issues red alert for the district. pic.twitter.com/YtOMKHWIc5
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 16, 2021
The chief minister’s office has warned the people to be extremely careful and avoid travelling through hilly regions or near rivers.
“Under the influence of the low-pressure area over Southeast Arabian Sea off Kerala coast, the state is expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls till the morning of October 17 (Sunday). Isolated heavy rainfall is expected on 18th (Monday) and further reduction in rainfall from 19th morning (Tuesday),” said the weather office in a statement.
Cautioning the fishermen it added, “Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 Kmph gusting 60 Kmph is likely to prevail over Kerala coast. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these sea areas” today and tomorrow.
