THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the Emergency Operation Centers to be operational 24 hours in the wake of the India Meteorological Department's warning that heavy rains are likely in the state for the next five days.

The India Meteorological Department has warned that isolated places in the state are likely to receive heavy rainfall till Thursday. In this situation, red, orange and yellow alerts have been announced in various districts. A red alert has been announced in Ernakulam district today, Idukki and Kannur districts tomorrow, an orange alert in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts and a yellow alert in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

Chief Minister stated that the State Emergency Operation Center comprising representatives of various departments and the National Disaster Response Force has been made operational. 7 teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts for emergency service.

Under no circumstances should one cross the river, bathe, fish or enter the river for any other purpose in the event of a warning. Avoid night travel to hilly areas as much as possible. Due to the possibility of high waves and storm surges, coastal residents should stay away from danger zones as directed by the authorities. Trips to the beach and activities in the sea should be completely avoided. Do not go fishing in Kerala Karnataka Lakshadweep shores. The Chief Minister also informed that special caution should be taken against accidents due to wind.