Heavy rain warning in Kerala; travel to hilly areas banned; functioning of quarries suspended

PATHANAMTHITTA: Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed more restrictions in the wake of heavy rains. Night travel to hilly areas is prohibited. The functioning of quarries has been stopped. Bathing in rivers is also prohibited. However, Sabarimala pilgrims are not prohibited from pamba snanam. It has been decided to restrict Pampa snanam only in case of heavy rains. A red alert has been declared in Pathanamthitta district today.

The Meteorological Center has issued a warning that there is a possibility of very heavy rain in the state of Kerala today. High alert has been issued in central and southern Kerala. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Idukki districts are on red alert today. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur districts are on orange alert. Yellow alert has also been declared in districts other than Kannur and Kasaragod.

Earlier, Minister K Rajan had said that preparations are being made in the event of a heavy rain warning. Instructions have been given to all districts. The minister also said that unnecessary travel to hilly areas should be avoided. With the declaration of red alert, the district administration has issued a strict alert in Idukki too. The Forest Department has also been asked to conduct special surveillance on Kanana Patha leading to Sabarimala.