Thiruvananthapuram, August 4 (BPNS)
A state-wide alert has been issued as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the continuation of intense rainfall activity in Kerala.
According to the IMD, intense rainfall to isolated very heavy rainfall could be expected from August 5 to 8.
At the same time, with several places getting inundated and many people being sheltered at relief camps, the health department has also warned against outbreaks of diseases.
The state currently has 221 relief camps with 6,411 people staying in them. A total of 20 people also lost their lives in various rain-related incidents from July 30.
“The monsoon trough lies south of its normal position. It will continue to remain so during the next 4-5 days. Also, a low-pressure area is likely to form over northwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal around August 7. That means the state could expect rains in the coming days also,” said Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister.
He also added that with water flow to the Chalakudy river expected to increase due to the torrential rain, those living near the banks of the river should exercise high-level caution.
“The people there had already been cautioned. They should adhere to the instructions from the authorities. If they are asked to shift to a safe location, they must do the same without hesitation. The same alertness applies to those living in the low-lying areas of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts,” added the CM.
According to Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, with rain fury remaining unabated in the state, nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at various places of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Malappuram, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kannur, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. The authority also added that considering the situation the state government has sought additional two teams from NDRF and Defence Service Corps and one team each from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard.
As per stats, so far 32 houses were completely destroyed and 237 houses were partially destroyed in the rains which lashed the state for the past five days.
Considering the scenario, educational institutions of Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Wayanad, Ernakulam, and Idukki will remain closed on Friday also.
Meanwhile, state water resources minister Roshy Augustine reached out to his counterpart at Tamil Nadu, S Duraimurugan, as the water level of Mullaperiyar dam nears 136 feet.
The minister in a letter requested Tamil Nadu’s urgent intervention to regulate the water discharge and to ensure that the outflow/discharge from the dam is more than the inflow, taking into consideration the heavy rainfall in the catchment area. Tamil Nadu has also been asked to ensure advance intimation – at least 24 hours in advance – before opening the shutters for ensuring the safety of the people residing downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam.
