IMD upgrades rain alert to red for 8 districts in Kerala after intense overnight rains

In the wake of heavy overnight rains triggered by a slow-moving, well-marked low-pressure system over central India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded the rain alert for Kerala. A red alert has been issued for eight districts in Kerala, including Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, where extremely heavy rainfall is likely over the next 24 hours.

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An orange alert, warning of intense heavy rainfall, has also been issued for the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, and Ernakulam, while the remaining districts, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha, have been placed under a yellow alert, where isolated heavy rainfall is expected.

Meanwhile, extremely heavy and very heavy rain was reported across large parts of the State on Friday night (July 31), inundating vast stretches of low-lying areas. Laha in Pathanamthitta recorded the highest rainfall, receiving 236 mm of rain between 8:30 a.m. on Friday and 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. It was followed by Venkurinji in Pathanamthitta with 182.5 mm and Neriamangalam in Ernakulam with 171.5 mm.

The shutters of the Aruvikkara and Neyyar dams were opened on Saturday following heavy inflow into the reservoirs’ catchment areas. People living in the vicinity of the dams and along the banks of the rivers have been advised to remain alert due to the rising water levels.

As the water level in Neyyar Dam has crossed the third warning level due to heavy rains, 4 shutters of the dam were raised by 20 cm each (total 80 cm) at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday. Four shutters of Aruvikkara dam were raised by 40 cm each (total 200 cm including the 40 cm raised the previous day) at 6.30 am.

Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Anu Kumari informed that those living in the vicinity of the dam and those living on both banks of the rivers should be vigilant.