Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 20: Torrential rains continued to pound Kerala on Sunday, triggering waterlogging in low-lying areas, swelling rivers and dams, and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an ‘orange alert’ across nine districts of the state.

The districts under the orange alert – which warns of very heavy rainfall ranging between 11 cm and 20 cm – include Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The remaining five districts have been placed under a ‘yellow alert’, indicating rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

In Palakkad, rising water levels in key reservoirs forced the district administration to open the shutters of several dams including Malampuzha, Mangalam, Siruvani, Meenkara, and Pothundi to release excess water.

Authorities have also raised ‘danger alerts’ for the Manimala river in Pathanamthitta and the Mogral river in Kasaragod, after water levels breached warning thresholds. Residents living near riverbanks have been urged to stay alert and shift to safer zones if instructed.

The IMD has forecast moderate rainfall across Kerala, with gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph in isolated locations. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea along the Kerala-Karnataka coast until July 23 due to rough conditions and wind speeds expected to range between 40 and 60 kmph.

Further, strong winds up to 50 kmph are expected in certain pockets of Kerala until July 24. The public, especially those in vulnerable areas, have been advised to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by the authorities.