Kochi waterlogged after heavy rains batter Kerala

The IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall in Kottayam and Ernakulam and orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki.

The heavy rains that battered Kerala’s commercial Capital Kochi since morning, inundated several areas. Water logging was reported in several residential areas across the city. IT Hub InfoPark at Kakkanad was inundated. Several parts of the city experienced big traffic blocks with roads getting flooded with rainwater.

A class 10 student drowned while taking a bath in a channel. The dead has been identified as Eldhose, son of Aikkarakudi Shaibin of Mekkappala in Vengoor. The incident took place at 7 pm on Monday when he was taking a bath in a nearby Kanichattupara channel.

Rainwater entered several houses in Thrikkakara and Vazhakkala in Ernakulam district.

Traffic on the busy Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam national highway was disrupted after a tree fell near Cherthala railway station in Alappuzha district. The tree fell due to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram district administration shut popular tourist destination Ponmudi till further notice following heavy rains in the area. Tourists have been asked to avoid travelling to Ponmudi following directions given by the District Disaster Management Committee.

The shutters of the Aruvikkara dam in Thiruvananthapuram district were raised by 90 cm at present due to heavy rains and waterlogging. The district collector said that the shutters will be further raised in the wake of heavy rains in catchment areas. Residents have been asked to stay vigilant and be ready to be shifted to safer places.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kerala in the next 48 hours. South and central India will receive more rainfall than usual.

More rains are expected in June as well. The monsoon is likely to hit Kerala by Friday.