Rain continues to batter state; ban on tourists in three districts, Wayanad and Kannur on orange alert 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in seven districts as heavy rains continue in the state. Orange alert has been issued in Wayanad and Kannur. Yellow alert is in districts northwards from Ernakulam. The warning is that there is a possibility of strong wind along with the rain. There is a ban on tourists in Idukki, Wayanad and Kottayam and fishing in the Kerala coast.

In the next three hours, there is a chance of moderate rain at isolated places and gusty winds of up to 40 kmph are possible in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kasaragod. Due to heavy rains, holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Idukki, Kottayam, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Alappuzha Cherthala taluk today.

Water entered houses and trees fell and there was damage in many places in the heavy rains that lashed the other day. The sea surge is also severe. Heavy rain is expected to continue for three more days. The rains that lashed yesterday was the heaviest rain of this season. Kottayam and Kidangoor received the most rainfall.
Meantime, Al Fayaz (14), son of Ali Akbar, a class nine student, died after a wall collapsed in the rain at Aarattuvazhi in Alappuzha. The wall of a house fell on him while he was returning home after tuition.

A meeting of district collectors chaired by Minister K Rajan discussed the situation. The precautions to be taken in the districts were evaluated. Disaster response forces have been deployed in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Wayanad. The minister said that water is being released in limited quantities from Aruvikara, Kallarkutty, Lower Periyar, Pambla and Peringalkooth dams.

One crore to districts
Minister K Rajan directed revenue officials not to go beyond their authority for three days. Those who have taken leave should return to work. Rs one crore each has been handed over to the districts for disaster relief activities.