Heavy rain and thunderstorm warning; ban on tourism and night travel announced

KOTTAYAM: Tourism ban announced in Kottayam where a red alert is in place. Entry has been banned in the tourist centers in the hilly region of Kottayam. Night travel on the Erattupetta-Vagamon road has also been banned.

Apart from Kottayam, a ban on night travel has also been imposed in the hilly areas of Idukki. The travel ban has been imposed from 7 pm to 6 am. An orange alert has been declared in Idukki today.

Meenachil river in Kottayam is almost overflowing due to heavy rain. People in the vicinity of Meenachil River have been alerted. Road near Appanchira Kaduthuruthy petrol pump has been waterlogged. Two houses were destroyed in a landslide in Thalanadu and a goat died. The Kanjirappally-Erattupetta road was waterlogged in many places. Low-lying areas were flooded in Erattupetta Nadackal. Many families were displaced. Bharananganam Village Edamaruku Chokkallu area was hit by landslides and houses were damaged but no casualty was reported.

IMD has informed that there is a possibility of moderate rain at isolated places in all the districts of Kerala in the next three hours. The Central Meteorological Department has informed that from today till June 1, there is a possibility of rain with thunder and lightning at isolated places in Kerala and strong winds that may blow at a speed of 30 to 40 km per hour.