Kerala rains: Kerala on 'yellow alert, IMD predicts heavy rains on September 25'

The State Disaster Management Authority has instructed district authorities to be on alert and directed them to take necessary precautions.

Kerala Floods : Kerala, the State where the devastating rains, floods and landslides have taken a toll of hundreds of people, resulting in loss to the tune of over Rs 300 billion, is expected to receive heavy rainfalls on September 25, said the State government.

"Met department has predicted heavy rain (64.4mm to 124.4mm) in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Idukki & Wayanad districts for September 25. Moreover, yellow alert has been issued for Palakkad, Idukki, Thrissur and Wayanad districts for 26th," said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Twitter.

These districts were among the worst affected during the recent deluge.

The State Disaster Management Authority has instructed district authorities to be on alert and directed them to take necessary precautions, he added.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, these districts are most likely to see heavy rains. Yellow alert is a warning colour code, which indicates the situation has to be watched and updated, while the next levels are orange and red, which respectively indicates 'Alert' (be prepared) and 'Warning' (Take Action).

Kerala had seen heavy rains, flood and landslides during the monsoon since the beginning of June, till the last week of August, disrupting normal life in at least 12 out of 14 districts. This resulted in an irreparable loss to thousands of people. These 12 states were on red alert for several days continuously.

The recent floods have taken the lives of 483 individuals, while 14 went missing and around 140 people were hospitalised. On August 21 alone around 14,50,707 individuals from 3,91,494 families were in relief camps, according to the official records.

The State has been in an effort to raise funds and rebuild the infrastructure. A central team is visiting the State to take stock of the losses and the State government is expected to submit its request for central assistance for both the losses and to rebuild the State. It has also sought the government officials to contribute a month's salary to the relief fund, in a Salary Challenge, which has also become a controversy as there were allegations that the State government is pressurising the government officials to pay the amount.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who arrived here on Sunday from the US after completing his treatment for an undisclosed ailment, urged Malayalees in the US to contribute liberally to rebuild the flood-hit state and said he hoped Rs 1.5 billion would be raised from them.....Read More

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Kerala rains: Toll rises to 79; PM asks MoD to step up relief & rescue ops

At least 79 people have perished, 25 of them on Thursday, since August 8 in Kerala's heaviest rain in almost 94 years.

Kerala Flood : At least 79 people have perished, 25 of them on Thursday, since August 8 in Kerala's heaviest rain in almost 94 years. The heavy rain, gusty winds, and the deluge has already destroyed more than 20,000 houses. As a result, more than 150,000 people are lodged in relief across the state. Kochi metro services have stopped, Kochi Airport closed till Saturday, and train services suspended between Chalakkudy and Aluva. Almost 10,000 km long roads have damaged in the ongoing monsoon in Kerala, according to NDTV.

The danger, just like the rain, isn't over. The IMD has issued red alerts in all districts for the next 24 hours. The weather department has warned of heavy rain accompanied with gusty winds with a speed up to 60 km per hour in all the 14 districts of the state, PTI reported.

ALSO READ:Kerala rain: Death toll rises to 67, Kochi airport shut; red alert issued

Power supply, communication systems and distribution of drinking water have been disrupted in various parts of the state in the rain mayhem which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has described as the 'worse' natural calamity the state has seen in the longest time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the Defence Ministry to further step up relief and rescue operations across Kerala which is facing a severe flood situation. He also spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. According to an NDTV report, airlifting of stranded people has begun.

"We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala," the PM tweeted.

Reeling under the unprecedented havoc, the Kerala government on Tuesday decided to do away with the 'Onam' celebrations this year and instead utilise the amount for relief operations. Officials said a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in all districts barring Kasaragod tomorrow while colleges and universities have postponed exams.

Vijayan said the heavy rains would continue for some more days, which will further worsen the situation.



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