Extremely heavy rainfall received last night, water level rises in Pampa River, red alert in Moozhiyar Dam

PATHANAMTHITTA: Heavy rains lashed various districts including Pathanamthitta and Kottayam, during Sunday night and Monday early morning, causing the water level in the rivers to rise. The water level in Pampa River is rising significantly. A red alert has been declared in Moozhiyar Dam on the Pampa River in Pathanamthitta, warning a possibility of flash floods. A decision in opening the dam will be taken soon.

Minister P C Vishnunath requested people not to be on the terraces of their houses thinking they are safe, and to cooperate with the authorities and move to safer places. Ranni and Aranmula are again under the threat of floods. Ranni Mamukku Kochupalam bridge is submerged in water. Meantime, people near the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers have been asked to be vigilant as the shutters of the Malankara Dam will be raised up to 1.5 meters. Devotees will not be allowed to enter Sabarimala today, opened for the Niraputhari.

With the water rising from the Manimala River, some schools where relief camps are operating are also under threat of flooding. With heavy rains in Pala and Erattupetta areas of Kottayam, there is a fear that the Meenachil river will overflow again. The water level in the east is also high in Kumarakom. People are on alert due to intermittent rains in Idukki. There was a landslide on the Cheruthoni-Kattappana road.

A holiday was earlier declared for educational institutions in 11 districts today. A yellow alert is in effect in all 14 districts today. A holiday has been declared in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. A holiday has been declared in Alappuzha Monday morning.