Kerala rainfall: 4 people killed as torrential rains hit state, IMD issues red alert for 5 districts

Four people died in Kerala as torrential rain lashed several parts of the Indian state. Citing the KeralaState Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the news agency PTI reported on Wednesday (May 22) the deaths were reported from across the statein variousrain-relatedincidents. The KSDMA warnedfishermen against venturing into the sea until further warning.

Meanwhile, the IndiaMeteorological Department (IMD) hasissued a red alert for five districts-Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki.

According to PTI, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were earlier placed under an orange alert and the warning was later upgraded as the IMD predictedheavy rainfall in isolated places in these districts.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad have been placed on an orange alert. While,Kannur and Kasaragod remain on yellow alert.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of more than 20 centimetres (cm) in 24 hours. On the other hand, an orange alert indicatesvery heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm.

A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

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PTI further reported that houses andmajor roads in parts of Kochi were flooded in the sudden rain, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city were also inundated.

Kerala Health MinisterVeena George said, in the wake of the worsening weather conditions, a state control room has been opened in the health department directorate in the cityas part of efforts to strengthen epidemic prevention activities

(With inputs from agencies)