Rains to continue in state for three more days, Pampa bathing not allowed, restrictions for Sabarimala pilgrims

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested to remain vigilant as there is a possibility of heavy rains in the next three days as per the warning of the Indian Meteorological Department. The CM made the announcement at a meeting of district collectors and others convened in the wake of heavy rains in the state.

When the Sabarimala temple opens, it will be difficult for more pilgrims to enter. The river is turbulent due to heavy rains. The availability of drinking water and bathing water will be reduced. So the meeting decided to limit the number of people in the next three to four days. Bathing at Pampa will not be allowed as the water is at a dangerous level. Do not go down to other locations as well. Spot booking will be stopped. To control the number of people, changing the date for those booked via virtual queue will be considered. The CM said the district collectors can decide whether to give holidays to schools in rain-hit districts.

Fishing is banned. A red alert has been declared in Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts. Kakki and Idukki dams have been opened. Monitoring has been intensified at various dams in the power and water departments. There are currently three teams of the National Disaster Response Force in the state. The four teams will arrive tomorrow morning. Two teams of Defense Security Corps are ready to go to Kannur and Wayanad districts if required. After November 10th, there were seven landslides. There were no casulties. People should be relocated to camps from landslide-prone areas. Care should be taken to avoid problems in the camps. People's representatives, local government representatives and officials should pay special attention to this. The cleanliness of the camps should be ensured. The CM also directed to ensure the availability of food and a facility for diagnosis of diseases.

Ministers MV Govindan, K Radhakrishnan, AK Sasindran, K Krishnankutty and Roshi Augustine, officials including Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy, police and fire chiefs and representatives of various forces addressed the meeting.