- By Deeksha Gour
- Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:19 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kerala Rain Today: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in nine districts of Kerala, including Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The yellow alert indicates the potential for heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 to 115.5 millimetres within a 24-hour period.
Kerala Rain Forecast: School Holiday Today
In response, the district authorities have declared a holiday for all schools in the affected areas on Thursday. This includes schools and colleges in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta. Educational institutions in Kanjirappally and Meenachil taluks of Kottayam will also be closed for the day.
#WATCH | Kerala: Search and rescue operations continue at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad.
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024
The death toll stands at 167. pic.twitter.com/vEPjtzyK94
Kerala Weather Forecast
The IMD has also forecast heavy rain accompanied by thundershowers in most parts of Kerala and Lakshadweep until August 6. Additionally, squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35 to 45 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 55 kilometres per hour, is expected along the North Kerala coast. Authorities have warned fishermen not to venture into the sea due to the adverse weather conditions.
Heavy Rain In Kerala Until August 2
The Met Department has predicted that Kerala will continue to receive heavy rainfall until August 2, under the influence of an off-shore trough at a mean sea level along the south Gujarat to Kerala coasts. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has sounded a warning for high tidal waves and Kalla Kadal (swell waves) phenomenon off the Kerala coast on Wednesday night until 11:30 pm.
Kerala Landslide
In Wayanad, the authorities have directed people living in landslide-prone areas of the hill district to move to safer places at the earliest. Areas like Kurumbalakotta, Lakkidi, Manikunnumala, Sugandhagiri and others have been identified as high-risk zones and residents have been urged to exercise extra caution.
The Wayanad district administration has also informed that those who have been asked to move to the camps should shift from their residences at the earliest. Secretaries of the local self-government bodies and village officers have been tasked with taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the residents.
Wayanad Landslide: Death Toll
The heavy rains have already taken a toll, with over 200 people reported dead and over 200 others injured after a series of landslides hit Kerala's Wayanad district. The Army has successfully evacuated more than 1,000 people from the affected areas so far and rescue operations involving the NDRF team, Army, state police, forest officials and volunteers are ongoing. Experts have described the Wayanad landslide incident as the biggest landslide-related disaster in the state.