Kerala is reeling under the fury of an intensifying southwest monsoon as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in eight districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. The districts placed under red alert include Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The alert signifies a grave situation with a high probability of landslides, flash floods, and river inundation.
The monsoon, which had shown a delayed onset earlier in the season, has now gained significant momentum due to a strong upper-air cyclonic circulation. The heavy rainfall has already begun to cause damage, particularly in high-altitude areas like Idukki, where landslides have disrupted transport and damaged infrastructure. Rescue teams have been deployed to affected areas to assist with evacuation and relief.
In response to the growing threat, local authorities have declared a holiday for schools in vulnerable regions, advised citizens to remain indoors, and increased monitoring of river levels. Fishermen have also been warned not to venture into the Arabian Sea due to high wind speeds and turbulent waters.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is coordinating with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for possible large-scale evacuation if rain intensity increases further. Relief camps have been set up, and emergency services are on standby.
With weather models predicting continued rain for the next few days, citizens are urged to stay alert, especially those in landslide-prone and floodplain areas. The IMD has also issued orange and yellow alerts for the surrounding districts to flag varying degrees of rainfall.
The state government has appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel, especially in hill regions, and to follow updates from official channels.
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