Heavy rain lashes high ranges of Kerala; orange alert in four districts

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 (PTI) Intermittent heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed several parts of Kerala causing inundation and traffic snarls there on Monday.

The high ranges of southern Thiruvananthapuram and northern Kozhikode districts experienced widespread rains and overcast climate throughout the day. Heavy downpour that lasted for nearly an hour caused waterlogging in Thiruvananthapuram-Thenkasi road.

Road traffic was interrupted in Elavattom in Palode road also for some time due to inundation in the evening.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in four districts -Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode - predicting very heavy rainfall. The rest of the districts were placed under a yellow alert.

In the wake of heavy rain, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) asked people living in areas prone to landslides, mudslides, and flash floods to move to safer locations as directed by officials concerned.

Residents living along riverbanks and in areas downstream of dams should also relocate in advance, following official instructions, in view of possible danger, the SDMA said in a statement.

An orange alert refers to very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. PTI LGK ADB