Thiruvananthapuram: Incessant rains caused minor landslips and disruption of train service in some parts of Kerala on Saturday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded alerts in several districts. State authorities have urged people, especially those living in hilly areas and on river banks, to remain cautious.
As per the latest update from the national weather agency, extremely heavy rains are likely in Thiruvananthapuram. A Red alert was issued here while an Orange alert, which warns of very heavy rainfall, has been sounded in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki districts.
Thunderstorms coupled with lightning are also very likely at one or two places in the state till November 16, the IMD informed.
In view of the incessant rainfall, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed emergency relief camps to be opened in landslide/landslip and flood-prone areas.
As the westerly winds gain strength in the southern state, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts are likely to see heavy rain, he said.
"As there is a possibility of widespread rainfall in the coming hours, directions have been given to show extreme vigil in high ranges, riversides and tourist centres," Vijayan said.
Heavy rain in the coming days
According to reports, a new low-pressure area is likely to form in the Andaman Sea in the Bay of Bengal in the next 12 hours, and it was expected to reach the middle east side of the Bay of Bengal by November 15 and be strengthened as extreme low pressure.
Quoting the forecast of the Indian Meteorological Department, the CM also said there was a possibility of more rainfall than normal in Kerala in the next two weeks - from November 12-25.
The IMD has issued Orange and Yellow alerts for several districts in the next two days.
Orange alert
November 14: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Kasaragod
November 15: Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod
Yellow alert
November 14: Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur
November 15: Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram
November 16: Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod
A Red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while Orange alert denotes very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm of rains. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.
Rain havoc in TVM
Widespread destruction was reported in Thiruvananthapuram district, which has been witnessing continuous heavy downpour since Friday night, prompting the district authorities to sound a vigil for people.
A portion of a bridge, located on the national highway in the nearby suburb Neyyattinkara, was washed away in rains. Rainwater entered shops in the coastal hamlet of Vizhinjam as a canal there overflew. The high ranges of the district especially Vithura, Ponmudi, Nedumangadu, Palode and so on are witnessing incessant rains. Meanwhile, the shutters of Aruvikkara and Peppara dams here were raised in the morning, the district authorities added.
Trains cancelled
Incessant rains caused landslides in Neyyatinkara-Parassala rail route and in Eraniel - Kulithurai section and waterlogging in Nagercoil Junction- Kanniyakumari section, a southern railway statement said here. Considering the safety, some train services in the routes were fully or partially cancelled, it added.
Here's the list of the cancelled trains:
Full cancellation:
1. Train No. 16366 Nagercoil Jn. – Kottayam Daily Passenger is fully cancelled on November 13.
2. Train No. 16127 Chennai Egmore – Guruvayur Daily Express will be fully cancelled on November 14.
Partial cancellation
1. Train No. 16525 Kanniyakumari – KSR Bengaluru Daily Island Express scheduled to leave Kanniyakumari on November 13 will commence service from Thiruvananthapuram Central as the train is partially cancelled between Kanniyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram Central.
2. Train No. 16526 KSR Bengaluru – Kanniyakumari Daily Island Express that left KSR Bengaluru on November 12 will be short terminated at Thiruvananthapuram Central. The train is partially cancelled between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Kanniyakumari.
3. Train No. 16723 Chennai Egmore – Kollam Junction Ananthapuri Express leaving Chennai Egmore on November 12 will be short terminated at Nagercoil Junction.
4. Train No. 16724 Kollam Junction – Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express scheduled to leave Kollam Jn. on November 13 will commence service from Nagercoil Jn. as the train is partially cancelled between Kollam Jn. and Nagercoil Jn.
5. Train No. 22627 Tiruchchirappalli Junction – Thiruvananthapuram Central Daily Intercity Express will be short terminated at Nagercoil Jn. on November 13. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil Jn. and Thiruvananthapuram Central.
6. Train No. 22628 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Tiruchchirappalli Junction Daily Intercity Express scheduled to leave Thiruvananthapuram Central on November 13 will commence service from Nagercoil Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Nagercoil Jn.
7. Train No. 16128 Guruvayur – Chennai Egmore Daily Express that left Guruvayur on November 12 will be short terminated at Neyyatinkara. The train is partially cancelled between Neyyatinkara and Chennai Egmore.
8. Train No. 16650 Nagercoil Junction - Mangalore Central Daily Parasuram Express scheduled to leave Nagercoil Jn. on November 13 commenced service from Thiruvananthapuram Central due to partial cancellation between Nagercoil Jn. and Thiruvananthapuram Central.
9. Train No. 12666 Kanniyakumari – Howrah Weekly Express scheduled to leave Kanniyakumari on November 13 has been partially cancelled between Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil Jn. The train commenced service from Nagercoil Jn.
10. Train No. 12633 Chennai Egmore – Kanniyakumari Daily Exprss that left Chennai Egmore on November 12 will be short terminated at Nagercoil Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil Jn. and Kanniyakumari on Saturday.
