As the North East Monsoon became vigorous over Kerala, a 'red alert' has been sounded in 7 districts on Monday with heavy to very heavy rains and extremely heavy falls being forecast at isolated places over the southern state and Mahe.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority red alert has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram for Tuesday.
Red alert was issued for seven districts on Monday.
All educational institutions in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha districts will remain shut on Tuesday.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) red alert is the gravest warning on deteriorating weather conditions.
The IMD has forecasted that heavy rains are likely to continue in Kerala for the next two days.
The Met Department has advised people to stay alert and fishermen to stay away from the sea. People living in landslide-prone areas have been advised to shift to relief centres. The rains are likely to be accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning. People have been advised to refrain from using electronic or electrical devices during the time..
Monday's developments:
6:32pm
All educational institutions including professional colleges will remain shut in Alappuzha on Tuesday. Earlier, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts had also declared a holiday for schools and colleges.
6:01pm
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the people in the state to remain alert in the wake of severe rain warnings by the Met department. He also asked people to follow the instructions given by the state disaster management authority.
5:42pm
Restrictions have been imposed on tourism related activities in Thiruvananthapuram district.
5:31pm
All educational institutions in Thrissur district will remain shut tomorrow as IMD has predicted extremely heavy rain.
5:11pm - Relief camps opened
Nine relief camps have been opened in Ernakulam district.
5:02pm
Trains via Ernakulam North station have been reinstated, Ernakulam South station continues to be submerged under water.
4:50pm
Emergency number - 1077 (for all districts)
People calling from outside the district need to add the STD code and call to connect with the respective districts helpline.
4:25pm
MG University postponed all exams scheduled for tomorrow (October 22), new dates will be announced later.
4:12pm
The following radio stations can be followed for official rain updates
1. Thiruvananthapuram (AM Channel): 1161 kHz
2. Alappuzha (AM Channel): 576 kHz
3. Thrissur (AM Channel): 630 kHz
4. Calicut (AM Channel): 684 kHz
3:57pm
People living in landslide and flood prone areas should be ready with emergency kit to move to safer locations as and when directed by the district administration.
3:21pm
In the seven districts given red alert, the Met department has predicted a possibility of extremely heavy rain measuring more than 205mm in the next 24 hours.
3:04pm - Holiday in Ernakulam
All educational institutions including professional colleges to remain shut tomorrow (October 22).
02:35pm
•270 people have been shifted to five relief camps in Ernakulam.
•District Collector S Suhas said that "All the village officers and revenue staff in the district are on a high alert. We have taken all necessary precautions. One NDRF team is prepositioned.”
•10 pumps clear water from Kaloor substation. Two squads of fire force and police are also on the spot. A decision on restoring electricity will be taken by experts by 3 pm.
02:03pm
Red alert issued in seven districts-Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad.
01:03pm
Polling rate is lower than 5% in five booths of Ernakulam constituency. The district collector has informed that the decision on repolling will be taken after 3 pm.
12:42 pm
Waters enter Kaloor substation in Kochi. Electricity gets cut in Kaloor, Edappally, Palarivattom regions.
12:19 pm
Heavy rains will continue to lash Kerala for the next five days due to the depression which has formed over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, the IMD has informed.
12:15 pm
Call 9447075320 for information on trains from Ernakulam Junction.
11:25 am
List of cancelled and halted trains
Cancelled trains
•Kozhikode - Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express
•Thiruvananthapuram - Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express halted at Thuravoor in Alappuzha. The train will return to Thiruvanathapuram in the afternoon.
•Ernakulam-Bengaluru Inter-City Express
•Nagercoil - Mangaluru Ernad Express. The train will return to Thiruvananthapuram.
• Madgaon-Ernakulam Express (No: 10125) and Ernakulam - Madgaon Express (No: 10126) have been cancelled between Chalakkudy and Ernakulam Junction.
Diverted trains
•Thiruvanthapuram-Chandigarh Samparka Kranti diverted via Kottayam-Ernakulam route
•Thiruvananthapuram - Lokmanya Tilak Netravati Express diverted via Kottayam-Ernakulam route
Halted trains
•Kannur-Alappuzha Intercity Express halted at Thrissur
•Chennai Egmore-Gurvayoor Express halted at Ernakulam
11am
Chief Electoral Officer Tikaram Meena addresses a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.
"Ten polling booths Ernakulam assembly constituency have been flooded. The affected booths have been shifted. The election commission is observing the developments closely. I have sought a report from district collector. The commission will extend polling time based on Collector's report," Meena said.
10:50am
• Three relief camps opened in Ernakulam district to rehabilitate people from rain-hit areas
Heavy rain in Idukki district. Roads blocked in Kumily-Munnar Road.
• Heavy rain to continue in all districts, except Kannur and Kasargod , for three more hours.
10:41am
• Chief Secretary Tom Jose calls emergency meeting to review rain disaster
• Rain affects bypolls: Chief Electoral Officer Tikaram Meena has sought report from Ernakulam district collector whether rain affected polls.
10:35am
• Voting progresses at slow place in Konni and Ernakulam assembly constituencies
09:45am
• Ernakulam South and North railway stations have been flooded. Train services disrupted.
09:45am
• Landslip disrupts train services in Ernakulam- Kottayam route.