IMD revises rain forecast for Kerala, Red alert in 3 districts; Govt all set to handle emergency situation

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala was put on high alert after the India Meterological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rain across the state till May 24. Earlier, the met office had sounded a red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki districts for Monday and Tuesday.
But it has withdrawn the red alert issued for Alappuzha and placed it under orange alert. Heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm is expected in the district in the next 24 hours.

Red alert in districts
May 20: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
May 21: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
May 22 : Pathanamthitta
Rainfall ranging above 204.4 mm is expected in these districts.

Orange alert 
May 20: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode
May 21: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur
May 22: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam
May 23: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha

Yellow alert 
May 20 : Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
May 21 : Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
May 22 : Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode
May 23 : Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam
May 24: Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur, Kasaragod
A yellow alert means rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours.

Emergency operation centres opened
Kerala government said on Monday that emergency operation centres have been opened in all district collectorates and taluk offices to tackle any urgent situation. Special directions have been given to alert tourists who arrive in the southern state for holidaying about the rain situation, state Revenue Minister K Rajan said. He stressed the need for strict regulations in hilly areas in the wake of possible landslide threats.

"The Disaster Management Authority has warned that there is even the possibility of mudslides on the road due to heavy rains," he told reporters here.

Safety boards would be installed in such areas to warn travellers about the threat of a possible land slide, he said. The district collectors have been entrusted to take necessary steps to impose a night travel ban in hilly areas in their respective areas if necessary, Rajan explained.

"The 24x7 Emergency Operation Centres have been opened in all collectorates and taluk offices with the coordination of various departments to tackle all urgent situations," the revenue minister added.

Meanwhile, intense water logging, uprooting of trees, and snapping of electric wires were reported in various places across the state on Monday due to heavy rains.

Health Minister Veena George said the Health Department has issued a warning to all districts about the possible outbreak of epidemics in the wake of continuing heavy rains. "Many epidemics are likely to occur due to climate change. Hospitals have been alerted. Instructions have already been given to ensure availability of medicines," she said in a statement.

As per the latest IMD forecast, southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala on May 31.
(With PTI inputs)