Kannur: The India Meteorological Department has forecasted that the state will continue to witness heavy rain till August 22 with Orange alert issued in Kasaragod, Kannur and Wayanad. The monsoon rain will intensify across Kerala under the influence of a low-pressure area, which is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal by August 18
“The northern districts of the state are expected to receive heavy and isolated rainfall till the end of August month. We have given alerts to the local administrations of these districts to stay vigil especially the people residing near the hilly terrains where there are chances of landslips”, said an official in the IMD.
The central and northern districts of Kerala have been witnessing heavy rain accompanied by strong winds since Thursday. Trees were uprooted and houses were damaged after strong winds battered several places. On Saturday, a woman was electrocuted after coming into contact with a power line snapped by a fallen tree at Vadakara in Kozhikode.
An orange alert is sounded for Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Sunday, while all seven districts – Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Palakkad and Kozhikode are placed under a yellow alert. An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours. According to the Met Department, a yellow alert is sounded when heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is expected within 24 hours.
Red alert issued in 9 dams across the state
As water level continued to rise due to the incessant rains, shutters of several dam are being opened. On Sunday, the authorities have sounded a red alert for nine dams – Kakki (Pathanamthitta), Moozhiyar (Pathanamthitta), Mattupetty (Idukki), Kallarkutty (Idukki), Erattayar (Idukki), Lower Periyar (Idukki), Sholayar (Thrissur), Peringalkuthu (Thrissur), Banasurasagar (Wayanad).
Fishermen issued warning
The IMD has warned fisherfolk against venturing into the sea, as strong winds reaching up to 65 kmph are likely over the Arabian Sea. Fishing has been banned along the coasts of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep until Monday due to adverse weather conditions.