IMD issues orange alert for 11 Kerala districts as heavy rain lashes state
The India Meteorological Department has issued orange and yellow alerts across Kerala, warning of very heavy rain, landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas
Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 28 (PTI) The IMD issued an orange alert to 11 districts in Kerala as rainfall was reported across the state on Sunday, officials said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in a statement issued through the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Sunday evening, placed Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod under orange alert for Sunday.
IMD first issued an orange alert in six districts, which was later expanded to five more districts as rain intensified across Kerala.
A yellow alert has been issued for Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram on Sunday.
Orange alerts have also been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod on June 29; Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on June 30; and Kannur and Kasaragod on July 1, the statement said.
An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours.
For June 29, the yellow alert covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.
On June 30, yellow alerts were issued for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram; on July 1 for Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad; and on July 2 for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
A yellow alert indicates the likelihood of heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours.
KSDMA advised people living in areas prone to landslides, mudslides, and flash floods, as well as those residing along riverbanks and downstream of dams, to move to safer places if instructed by authorities.
It also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, to stay away from rivers, waterfalls and other water bodies, refrain from crossing flooded areas, and avoid hill stations and other vulnerable locations until the weather improves.
The KSDMA said that district and taluk control rooms are functioning round the clock, and people can contact the toll-free emergency numbers 1077 and 1070 for assistance. PTI
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