After a brief relief from heavy rains on Wednesday, Kerala is back on the edge with red alerts in eight districts and near a number of reservoirs. Water levels in a number of major rivers, especially in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, are rising, and people are being evacuated to the relief camps as the flood situation is turning grim.
Although the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had declared a red alert in 10 districts till Thursday, it was downgraded to orange alerts in 12 districts for today as the rain had subsided in most places in the State on Wednesday. However, heavy overnight rain in Central Kerala and Thrissur district has changed the situation again.
More than a dozen people have died in rain-related incidents since Sunday in Kerala, and more than 2,000 people are in relief camps across the State. Kerala government has warned the people to expect extensive rain across the State till August 8.
Here are the live updates:
Kerala battered by extreme monsoon showers
With water level rising in several major rivers across the State, various district administrations have asked people living in 2018 flood affected areas shift to relief camps. Nine National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed and more than 5600 people have been moved into 184 relief camps.
National Testing Agency postpones UG Common University Entrance Test in Kerala
The incessant rains that has ravaged various parts of Kerala has prompted the National Testing Agency (NTA) to postpone the Common University Entrance Test – Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2022 examination in the State.
In a public notice issued during the early hours of August 4, the agency stated: “Due to heavy rain in many districts of Kerala in past few days, it has been brought to the notice of NTA that it may not be possible for a large number of candidates to reach the Examination Centre for CUET (UG) – 2022 within stipulated time as the movement will be very difficult and there may be disruption of power.”
Central Travancore remains the worst affected region
Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts are the worst hit in this period of heavy downpour. Multiple landslides have been reported on the eastern high-ranges of both districts and several villages along the low-lying Northern and Upper Kuttanad regions in the downstream of the rivers have been inundated. Traffic in several parts of the region was disrupted including along the Pala -Erattupetta route as flood waters engulfed the road.
Govt bans Sabarimala visit
The Kerala government has banned devotees from ascending the hills to the Sabarimala shrine from 3 p.m. today. In a tweet, the government has asked the pilgrims who are already in Sabarimala to come down and move to safer places by 6 p. m. Heavy rainfall is expected at Sabarimala and Pampa in coming hours.
Ernakulam collector draws flak after delay in declaring holiday for educational institutions
Ernakulam district collector Renu Raj came in for considerable flak from parents over her perceived delay in announcing holiday for educational institutions on August 4 in view of the incessant rain.
On her part, Dr. Raj said that it was a discretionary call taken by her based on the field reality considering the safety of the children though there was no ‘Red’ alert for the day and hence no need for declaring a holiday as per the protocol. Incidentally, the weather forecast for the district was upgraded from ‘Orange’ (heavy to very heavy rain) to ‘Red’ (extremely heavy rain) alert much later.
Chance of flooding similar to 2018 in Chalakudy
Authorities are expecting Chalakudy river to flood at a level similar to 2018 due to the water released from Peringalkuthu reservoir, which has been getting increased inflow from both Parambikulam and Thoonakadavu dams upstream. It has also been announced that three shutters of Kerala Sholayar will be opened by 3 p.m. as water flow from Tamil Nadu Sholayar to Kerala Sholayar has increased. The catchment areas of these reservoirs have been getting heavy rainfall. The district administration have asked people, especially those living in areas that were affected by the devastating floods of 2018, along the banks of the river to move to relief camps or their relatives’ homes away from the river.
Flights diverted to Cochin Airport due to bad weather
Five flights from the Middle East bound for Kozhikode Airport were diverted to Cochin International Airport on August 4 due to bad weather conditions in Kozhikode.
IMD issues red alert in 8 districts, orange in 5
According to IMD, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur have been issued a red alert. An orange alert has been issued in Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kasaragod. Yellow alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram.
IMD warns of extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala’s hilly reaches
IMD has informed that intense rainfall activity is likely to continue over South Peninsula (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) for the next 3 days. The latest IMD press release notes that Kerala can expect isolated extremely heavy rainfall over its ghat regions.
Water level rising in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta
Water level in all major rivers across Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are rising fast and more people are being evacuated to relief camps. These districts have already witnessed a number of minor landslides and flashfloods this week.
Also read: Flood situation remain grim in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta
Flood warning near Bharathapuzha
Those living on the banks of Bharathapuzha have told to be vigilant as water level can rise with more water being released from Aliyar Dam in Tamil Nadu. The reservoir is on the Aliyar river, one of the tributaries of Kannadipuzha, which itself is the main tributary of Bharathapuzha that flows through Palakkad and Malappuram districts of Kerala.
Also read: Flood warning along Bharathapuzha
