Extremely Heavy Rainfall in Kerala – Red Alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Wayanad and Idukki Districts;Red alert in Kozhikode
Five killed in landslides in Idukki
The Central Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain in various parts of Kerala in the coming days. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has directed the public and government agencies to take precautionary measures against landslides and floods in low-lying areas.
August 7, 2020: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad.
August 8, 2020: Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad.
The Central Meteorological Department has issued Extremely Heavy Warning in the following districts. It is likely to receive more than 204.5 mm of rain in 24 hours. Receiving such heavy rainfall will increase the risk. The Central Meteorological Department has issued the highest alert in these districts, the Red Alert. Extreme caution is required.
In Wayanad and Idukki districts, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, which have been receiving heavy rains for the last 4 days, and those in the disaster prone areas in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts and the eastern region of Malappuram district should be shifted to camps as a precautionary measure. Due to the heavy rainfall during the night, people are forced to relocate during the day in areas prone to landslides.
Night traffic to hilly areas should be completely avoided. An order will be issued prohibiting night traffic to the hilly region from 7 pm to 7 pm. The public must show complete cooperation.
*August 7, 2020: Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod *
August 8, 2020: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod
August 9, 2020: Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
The Central Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert in the following districts. Extreme levels of rainfall are forecast in isolated areas. Very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm is expected in 24 hours, according to the Meteorological Department.
August 7, 2020: Thiruvananthapuram
August 8, 2020: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam.
August 9, 2020: Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad.
August 10, 2020: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
August 11, 2020: Kannur, Kasaragod.
The Central Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert in the following districts. Heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is forecast in isolated places in 24 hours.
The public and government agencies need to be extra vigilant as the Central Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains. Extreme caution should be exercised in low-lying areas, riverbanks, and landslide prone areas in districts where red, orange, and yellow alerts have been declared.
Extreme levels of rainfall are expected in the Western Ghats, affecting other districts of Kerala as well.
Those in landslide-prone and flood-prone areas in 2018 and 2019 and those living in areas identified by the Geological Survey of India and the expert committee of the State Disaster Management Authority as hazardous areas or uninhabitable areas, local bodies and government agencies are required to complete hazard preparations.
Preparations for the relief camps in the context of Covid 19 should be completed as prescribed by the State Disaster Management Authority Orange Book 2020.
Special instructions for the public
In case of heavy rain warning, it is necessary to co-operate with the authorities in the areas where they have to relocate as per the instructions.
The Covid must be prepared to fully comply with the standards at the stages of transition to relief camps.
The Disaster Management Authority has directed to organize the camps in four categories viz. It must be fully cooperated with.
Those in the disaster risk area should have an emergency kit ready. Instructions for preparing the kit are available at:
https://sdma.kerala.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Emergency-Kit.pdf.
Do not cross rivers, bathe in rivers or other water bodies, go fishing or for any other purpose in case of heavy rains.
*Do not climb over bridges over water bodies to view, take selfies or stand in groups. *
Those living below the dams should make preparations in anticipation of the possibility of water leaking out of the dams and relocate if necessary as per the instructions of the authorities.
Coastal dwellers at risk of strong seas should also be vigilant.
Due to strong winds, the dangers of falling trees and posts collapsing in the wind should be taken into consideration. Precautionary measures against strong winds issued by the State Disaster Management Authority are available at :
https://sdma.kerala.gov.in/windwarning/.
The State Disaster Management Authority’s Orange Book 2020 describes how to prepare and how to understand alerts in districts where red, orange and yellow alerts have been declared. It is available at :
https://sdma.kerala.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Orange-Book-of-Disaster-Management-2-2020-1.pdf at this link.
The alerts may change as the Central Meteorological Department changes the warning. Also check out the Disaster Management Authority’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
