Thiruvananthapuram: Incessant rains lashed several parts of Kerala since Friday night, causing water-logging in low lying areas and minor landslips in high ranges as weatherman sounded an ‘orange alert’ for six districts predicting very heavy rainfall there on Saturday.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was predicted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki districts. An ‘yellow alert’ warning heavy rainfall was sounded for Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod districts.
Thunderstorm coupled with lightning is also very likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala till November 16, an IMD statement said.Widespread destruction was reported in Thiruvananthapuram district, which is witnessing continuous heavy rains since last night prompting the district authorities to sound vigil for people.
Mud fell on the rail tack in Thiruvananthapuram-Nagarcovil route and a portion of a bridge in the national highway in Neyyattinkara, a nearby suburb, was washed away in heavy rains.
Rainwater entered shops in coastal hamlet of Vizhinjam as a canal there overflew. The high ranges of the district especially Vithura, Ponmudi, Nedumangadu, Palode and so on are witnessing incessant rains.
Meanwhile, the shutters of Aruvikkara and Peppara dams here were raised in the morning, the district authorities added.
A Red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while Orange alert denotes very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm of rains. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.
In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin visited rain-affected areas of Cuddalore district on Saturday and distributed relief materials to the needy people.
The chief minister reviewed waterlogging and agricultural areas in Kurinjipaadi area in Cudallore district.
Stalin plans to visit the delta districts of Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvaarur and Thanjore on Saturday and review the situation. As many as 14 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in the state since last week, with the rain leaving a trail of destruction in several districts.
Thunderstorm with moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places over the Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts within the next two hours, as per alert issued by Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai
Southern railway diverts several train routes
Meanwhile, Southern railway and south-central railway have notified for diversion of trains due to overflowing of water above the danger level at Bridge in Tada-Sullurupeta Section of Chennai Central division.
The diversion was made in the following routes: Danapur-KSR Bengaluru superfast express special commenced journey from Danapur diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, Katpadi and Jolarpettai.
Kamakhya-Yesvantpur express special from Kamakhya diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Melpakkam, Katpadi and Jolarpettai.
Danapur-KSR Bengaluru express special commenced journey from Danapur diverted to run via Gudur, Renigunta, Perambur, MGR Chennai Central and Jolarpettai.
Bengaluru Cantonment-Guwahati Express Special commenced journey from Bengaluru Cantonment diverted to run via Perambur, MGR Chennai Central, Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur.
