Entry to these eco-tourism centres in Kerala denied due to heavy rain

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district DFO has banned entry to eco-tourism spots in the district till further notice. The decision was taken as an orange alert was declared in the district. Visitors to the Ponmudi, Kallar and Mankayam ecotourism centres will be denied entry until further notice.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting convened by Chief Secretary VP Joy began in the wake of warnings from the Meteorological Department that there is a possibility of heavy rains in the state. The Chief Secretary called an emergency meeting on the instructions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to intensify preparations as there is a possibility of heavy rains till the day after tomorrow. A meeting of the entire department and rescue forces was called. Collectors from eight districts where red and orange alerts have been declared are also attending the meeting.

The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rains in southern and central Kerala on Saturday. Red alert was declared in Ernakulam and Idukki districts. Orange alert has been issued in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kollam districts and yellow alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.