Kerala rains: Watch | Heavy rain lashes parts of Ernakulam city; IMD issues Orange alert in THESE districts

Heavy rains continue to lash Kerala with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rains today i.e. on July 17. An orange alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts while a yellow alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts today.

Due to the continued heavy rains in the state, district administrations of Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Kottayam ordered closure of educational institutions, including tuition centres, Anganwadis, and professional colleges.

For tomorrow, heavy to very heavy rains is predicted at isolated places in Kerala on 18 and 19 July while heavy rains has been predicted for 20 and 21 July. 

IMD issues Wind warning for Kerala: 

As per RMC Kerala, strong winds with speed reaching 30-40, gusting to 50 kmph likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala from 17th to 19th July 2024 

Meanwhile, heavy rains in the state caused landslides, property damage, water logging of roads and flooding of acres of farmland with the Central Water Commission (CWC) issuing a warning about a dangerous rise in levels of various rivers in the southern state.

As per PTI report, the CWC has issued warnings about a significant increase in the water levels of several rivers, including Achankovil in Pathanamthitta and Thodupuzha in Idukki districts, with residents living near these rivers have been advised to exercise caution.

In Ernakulam, landslide damaged home, but fortunately, no one was injured, and the family was relocated to a safe place, according to the district administration while in Kottayam, 45 people were evacuated to camps after continuous rainfall throughout Tuesday night.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran, meanwhile, called upon party workers and members to aid in relief work where people have suffered property damage and other losses due to the heavy rains. He also urged the Youth Congress, the Kerala Students Union to come forward and help in the relief work. There should be a strong presence of Congress workers wherever help is needed, he said in a statement issued by the party.

(With inputs from PTI)