IMD issues red alert for three Kerala districts, warns of extremely heavy rain

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 8 (PTI) The IMD on Wednesday issued a red alert for three districts in Kerala, warning of extremely heavy rain, officials said. The India Meteorological Department said a red alert had been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20.4 cm. An orange alert, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall between 11.5 cm and 20.4 cm, was issued for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts for the day. A yellow alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam, indicating heavy rainfall between 6.5 cm and 11.5 cm for the day. For Thursday, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority warned that the heavy rainfall could trigger landslides, mudslides, flash floods and waterlogging, particularly in hilly and low-lying areas. It advised people living in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and shift to safer places if directed by the authorities. The KSDMA advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and other water bodies, avoid night travel to hilly areas, and remain alert to uprooted trees, snapped power lines and flooding. District and taluk control rooms are functioning round the clock across the state, and people can seek assistance through the toll-free emergency numbers 1077 and 1070, it said. PTI TBA SSK