Red alert in five districts, orange alert in eight districts; Kerala to receive extremely heavy rainfall in coming days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state will continue to receive heavy rainfall for two more days. All districts in Kerala have been warned of rains for the next two days. A red alert has been declared in five districts while an orange alert has been declared in eight districts.

A 24-hour control room has been opened in the state against the backdrop of heavy rains. People can call the toll free number 1077 for help. The IMD said that the heavy rains in the state were due to the strengthening of westerly winds in the Arabian Sea. Fishing has been banned off the coast of Kerala.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have caused waterlogging and extensive damage in several parts of the state. Two shutters of the Aruvikkara dam were raised following the heavy rains in Thiruvananthapuram. There is a possibility of strong winds and mudslides in the state.

People have been evacuated due to the risk of landslides and flash floods in Bonacaud, Thiruvananthapuram. Trees uprooted in strong winds at Perumbavoor. There is waterlogging on many roads in Thrikkakara, where the by-polls are being held. But despite the rain, the candidates are campaigning.

Twenty houses in Aluva have been flooded. Central and southern Kerala received heavy rainfall. A tree uprooted at the Koottumadam temple. A house was partially damaged when a tree fell at Karthikappally in Alappuzha. People are being evacuated from landslide-prone areas.

• Red alert- Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode
• Orange alert- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kannur
• Yellow alert- Kasargod