This story is from August 7, 2020

Heavy rains lash Kerala, red alert for four districts

A red alert of extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20cm has been sounded for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Wayanad on Friday even as heavy rains lashed the state evoking memories of the last two years in the same period. Except Thiruvananthapuram, all districts are on orange alert of 12-20 cm today.
Heavy rains lash Kerala, red alert for four districts
Houses destroyed in a landslide at Mundakkai in Wayanad.
KOCHI: A red alert of extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20cm has been sounded for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Wayanad on Friday even as heavy rains lashed the state evoking memories of the last two years in the same period. Except Thiruvananthapuram, all districts are on orange alert of 12-20 cm today.
The Indian meteorological department in its afternoon bulletin informed the state government that the doppler weather radar Image is indicating moderate (1-2 cm per hour) to intense (2-3 cm/hr) spell of rainfall over Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts with high winds occasionally for the next six hours.
The realized rainfall at Poonjar in Kottayam district is 8cm and Seethathode in Pathanamthitta district was 6 cm during the last three hours.
IMD director K Santhosh said that there have been very heavy rains in Idukki and Wayanad in the last 24 hours. This will continue for the next two days. He said that Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Wayanad districts will get more than 20 cm rain on Friday.

A red alert has been sounded for Idukki, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad districts on Saturday. In the last 24 hours, Peermade recorded the highest rainfall in the state with 26 cm followed by Munnar with 22.9 cm and Idukki with 22.6 cm. Mananthavady recorded 21 cm while Vythiri got 18 cm and Kuppady received 17 cm.

Landslides have been reported in several places in the state including Idukki and Wayanad. Several people are reported missing or trapped under the landslide in Rajamala near Munnar. A landslide at Mundakkai in Wayanad has destroyed two houses. However, there were no casualties reported.


Meanwhile, heavy rains have been reported from Ernakulam district. Water entered low lying areas of Nedumbassery, Chengamanad and Kanjoor villages. Residents in colonies in Muvattupuzha evacuated as water entered their houses. The flood water reached near Muvattupuzha Town. Similar situation has been reported in many places in North Paravur. A total of 46 people in Bosco colony in Eloor shifted to a relief camp. The Periyar river level rose in Aluva almost submerging the Mahadeva temple on its banks.
All shutters of Kallarkutty dam have been opened to release 1500 cumecs of water. The Central water commission has issued yellow warning (above normal level) for Vandiperiyar river in Idukki district and river Pamba at Madamon in Pathanamthitta district.

The five shutters of the Maniyar Barrage will be raised to five meters on Friday. With this, the maximum amount of water released through the spillway is 1287 cumecs. The shutters of Maniyar Barrage will remain open till August 10.
As a result, the water level in the Pampa river is expected to rise by 3.50 m to 4 m. Pathnamthitta district collector PB Nooh said residents along the banks of Pampa and Kakkattaar rivers, especially Maniyar, Vadaserikkara, Rani, Perunad, Kozhencherry and Aranmula will have to be vigilant.
Three gates opened in Ponmudi dam in Idukki to release 65 cumecs of water. Officials had announced that the dam waters would be released on Friday. The gates were opened in the morning. All shutters of Bhoothanathkettu barrage opened on Friday as water levels rise.
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About the Author
Sudha Nambudiri

Sudha Nambudiri reports from the southern state of Kerala. She writes on climate change, science and technology, social issues, and culture.

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