Kochi, Kerala is under the influence of heavy pre-monsoon rains, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday revising its weather forecast and issuing a red alert for two districts in the state.
Red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, heavy rains continue in many parts of the state, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas of major cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
The weather department issued a red alert for Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, earlier both these places were kept under orange alert.
Orange alert has also been issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of the state.Orange alert denotes very heavy rainfall between 11 cm to 20 cm, and yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan advised the people of the state to remain alert.
"Intense rainfall occurring within a short period of time can lead to flooding. Urban and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to waterlogging. Prolonged rainfall can also trigger landslides," he said in a Facebook post.People should exercise caution during such weather events."
At present, 223 people have been housed in eight relief camps being operated across the state.
Due to continuous rain, low lying areas of Kochi city were flooded. T channels broadcast visuals of the submerged KSRTC bus stand, MG Road and other nearby areas.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), seven Rai-related deaths occurred in the state from 19 to 23 May.
KSDMA said a total of 154 houses were partially damaged during the said period, while three houses were completely damaged.In view of the heavy rains, relief camps were opened in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.
Extensive damage to roads and agriculture was also reported from across the state.
The Thuravoor area on the National Highway in Alappuzha remained blocked for more than three hours today. Parts of Kuttanad area in Alappuzha were also inundated.
Financial losses were witnessed in the agriculture sector in the Mavoor area of Kozhikode, while minor landslides were reported from Malappuram and Kasaragod districts.Thrissur city was also affected by waterlogging. Shops and even some private hospitals were flooded.
Thrissur district administration has issued instructions to officials to desilt drains in its limits within seven days.
According to sources, flights from Kozhikode International Airport were delayed due to heavy rains.
Earlier in the day, four gates of the Malankara dam in Idukki district were opened and officials asked people living along the Thodupuzha and Moovattupuzha rivers to remain alert.KSDMA has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.
A state control room was set up at the health department directorate in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday as part of efforts to strengthen pandemic prevention activities in the wake of incessant rains.
Red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, heavy rains continue in many parts of the state, causing waterlogging in low-lying areas of major cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
The weather department issued a red alert for Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, earlier both these places were kept under orange alert.
Orange alert has also been issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of the state.Orange alert denotes very heavy rainfall between 11 cm to 20 cm, and yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan advised the people of the state to remain alert.
"Intense rainfall occurring within a short period of time can lead to flooding. Urban and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to waterlogging. Prolonged rainfall can also trigger landslides," he said in a Facebook post.People should exercise caution during such weather events."
At present, 223 people have been housed in eight relief camps being operated across the state.
Due to continuous rain, low lying areas of Kochi city were flooded. T channels broadcast visuals of the submerged KSRTC bus stand, MG Road and other nearby areas.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), seven Rai-related deaths occurred in the state from 19 to 23 May.
KSDMA said a total of 154 houses were partially damaged during the said period, while three houses were completely damaged.In view of the heavy rains, relief camps were opened in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.
Extensive damage to roads and agriculture was also reported from across the state.
The Thuravoor area on the National Highway in Alappuzha remained blocked for more than three hours today. Parts of Kuttanad area in Alappuzha were also inundated.
Financial losses were witnessed in the agriculture sector in the Mavoor area of Kozhikode, while minor landslides were reported from Malappuram and Kasaragod districts.Thrissur city was also affected by waterlogging. Shops and even some private hospitals were flooded.
Thrissur district administration has issued instructions to officials to desilt drains in its limits within seven days.
According to sources, flights from Kozhikode International Airport were delayed due to heavy rains.
Earlier in the day, four gates of the Malankara dam in Idukki district were opened and officials asked people living along the Thodupuzha and Moovattupuzha rivers to remain alert.KSDMA has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea.
A state control room was set up at the health department directorate in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday as part of efforts to strengthen pandemic prevention activities in the wake of incessant rains.