Kerala Faces Heavy Rains, Monsoon to Hit in 24 Hours

Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rainfall continued to lash several parts of Kerala on Wednesday with normal life being thrown out of gear in many places.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the conditions continue to become favourable for the onset of monsoon over Kerala during the next 24 hours. “The conditions continue to become favourable for monsoon onset over Kerala during the next 24 hours and advance monsoon over some parts of the Northeastern states during the same period,” the IMD said in an official statement.

With Met Department predicting widespread rains across the state in the coming hours, several districts have been put on alert. An orange alert has been issued in seven districts of the state as per the revised rain warning issued this afternoon.

An orange alert has been sounded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts which are expected to receive rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

Rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm are expected within 24 hrs in four districts; Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode which have been put on yellow alert.

Rain situation is likely to remain the same even on Thursday with the IMD issuing a yellow alert for 11 districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode. Due to the impact of the monsoon winds, south and central Kerala are likely to receive heavy rainfall. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in isolated places till June 1.

Rain situation is likely to worsen along coastal areas of the state. With strong winds, thunderstorms and high waves expected in coastal areas, authorities have warned the fishermen against venturing into the sea.

The intensity of the rain increased towards the evening on Wednesday in various parts of Ernakulam with several low-lying areas getting inundated. There was no respite for people residing in Kalamassery, Kakkanad areas which continued to receive heavy rains for the second consecutive day.

Several houses were damaged in Alappuzha and Kayamkulam following heavy rains accompanied by strong winds. A couple of families had a miraculous escape after their house got damaged in Ambalapuzha.

Flash floods and waterlogging wreaked havoc in many parts of Ernakulam and Kollam. More than 800 people have been shifted to relief camps after their houses got submerged in the rains.

Thiruvananthapuram district continued to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall since Tuesday. There are reports of damage to houses in various parts of the district. Several families are being shifted to relief camps from the water-logged areas and along the banks of rivers.