Rain intensity reduces in state, red alert in five districts withdrawn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The red alert sounded in five districts of the state has been withdrawn. The decision was taken as the intensity of the rain has reduced. Instead orange alert has been sounded in seven districts.

The orange alert is in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. Yellow alert is declared in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. There is an orange alert in Wayanad and Palakkad districts as announced earlier.

Meantime, the central meteorological department has forecast heavy rains in Kerala due to the presence of cyclones over South Karnataka and strong westerly winds in the Arabian Sea. The Central Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains from May 17 to 20. Officials said the prevailing rain warnings in the state would continue.

A fisherman died after a boat capsized at Anchuthengu in the capital city following heavy rain. 117 acres of paddy was flooded in Vypinkadu paddy field which was being harvested in Alappuzha. 23 houses were destroyed in the state. 117 families have been relocated to 14 relief camps.