People in four districts of state warned; very heavy rain and winds likely

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain has been predicted in the state today. Heavy rain is likely to lash northern districts. Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod are on orange alert today. A yellow alert has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Winds may blow at a speed of up to 40 kmph along the Kerala coast.

Fishing is prohibited along the Kerala and the Lakshadweep coasts. There is a yellow alert in the northern districts tomorrow as well. The extreme low pressure in the Bay of Bengal will make landfall along the south Odisha and north Andhra coasts in the next few hours. The monsoon is intensifying these days due to its influence. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that there is a possibility of widespread rain in the next few days as well.

The rains that lashed the state in the past few days have caused widespread damages. Low-lying areas in Thiruvananthapuram were flooded. Extensive damages were caused to crops. One acre of farmland washed away in Idukki. There were some damages in Pathanamthitta as well. The capital city was submerged in water due to the delay in opening the Veli breakwater. Waterlogging was severe on the railway tracks and low-lying areas.

Four shutters of the Neyyar Dam were opened. Thiruvananthapuram received the heaviest rainfall of this season on Thursday night and yesterday morning. It is estimated that 120 to 170 mm of rain was received. The highest rainfall of 168.8 mm was recorded in Neyyattinkara. A Kuwait Airways plane circled the sky for an hour as the runway at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport could not be seen.