The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a code red alert for Ernakulam and Thrissur districts on Thursday, along with a code orange alert for eight other districts.
Kerala, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday urged residents in low-lying areas and regions prone to floods and landslides to contact local officials and move to government relief camps due to the ongoing heavy rains.
“Extreme rainfall can cause significant accidents. We are expecting heavy downpours in a short period, leading to flash floods and rapid water flow through the hills. Low-lying areas and city neighborhoods are at risk of waterlogging. If the rain continues, mudslides and landslides are possible. The public must remain cautious,” said the Chief Minister in a statement. “Those at risk should contact officials and move to safer locations,” he added.
The Chief Minister also advised fishermen to stay ashore until further notice. As of Thursday evening, 223 individuals had been relocated to eight relief camps across the state, according to the Chief Minister’s office.
The weather agency noted that a low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast is driving the heavy rains. “Strong westerly/southwesterly winds at lower levels are likely to persist over the Kerala and Lakshadweep region during May 23-25, 2024,” the IMD stated in a bulletin on Thursday. “Under its influence, widespread rainfall with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected over isolated locations in Kerala on May 23.”
Continuous rains on Thursday caused severe waterlogging in Kochi and Thrissur, with floodwaters inundating homes. Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar reported that certain areas of the city were submerged as heavy rains, lasting over three hours, coincided with high tide. “Thus the water from the canals were not emptying out into the backwaters” he explained on Facebook.
In Thrissur, Ashwini Hospital, a key healthcare facility in the town, was flooded on Wednesday evening, with water seeping into the casualty section. Locals attributed the waterlogging to uncleaned drains ahead of the monsoon. The district collector instructed the civic body secretary to ensure all city drains are cleaned promptly.
