Thiruvananthapuram, 03 August (H.S.):The weather warning in Kerala was revised on Monday, with an orange alert issued for nine districts as heavy rain continued to batter several parts of the State, raising water levels in rivers and inundating low-lying areas.
The orange alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur districts for the next three hours. Earlier in the morning, seven districts had been placed under the orange alert.
Kottayam has been among the worst affected, with heavy rain continuing since Sunday night and the water level in the Meenachil river rising steadily. Several stretches of the Kottayam-Kumarakom-Vaikom road have been inundated.
Water has also entered houses in Thiruvarpu, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookara, Kummanam, Thazhathangadi and Nattassery. The Pamba river is also swelling, prompting authorities to issue precautionary warnings in Ranni and Kozhencherry taluks.
Amid the continuing rain, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation across the State. District collectors and ministers in charge of the districts will attend the online meeting scheduled for 10 a.m.
The Chief Minister said heightened vigilance should continue in the high-range areas despite a reduction in rainfall intensity in some places. The administration has made preparations to deal with any emergency, while elected representatives and volunteers are actively involved in relief operations.
Cleaning operations have begun in areas where floodwaters have receded. Satheesan appealed to political workers and voluntary organisations to participate in the drive, assuring them of full government support.
According to the Chief Minister, eight people have been confirmed dead in rain-related incidents, while eight others remain missing and 13 have suffered injuries.
A total of 5,792 people displaced by flooding and other rain-related emergencies have been shifted to 209 relief camps across Kerala.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
