Heavy Rains Continue in Kerala, Idukki-Nedumkandam Dam Shutters Opened
Continuous heavy rains are wreaking havoc in Kerala, affecting various districts including Thiruvananthapuram. The Cosmo hospital in Thiruvananthapuram faced flooding as a nearby canal overflowed, affecting surrounding houses. Eco-tourism centers in Ponmudi, Kallar, and Mankayam were shut down due to incessant rains, while a bridge in Gowreesha Pattanam became submerged.
In response to the heavy downpour, the shutters of the Idukki-Nedumkandam dam were opened. Red alerts were issued for Pathanamthitta district, while Thiruvannathapuram and Idukki were placed under orange alerts. Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts received yellow alerts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of heavy rains in the state until Friday.
The current rainfall is attributed to a cyclonic depression forming over the remote regions on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. In light of potential natural disasters, the Pathanamthitta Collector issued an order prohibiting night travel and tourist activities in the hilly areas of the district from November 22 to 24. The order aims to mitigate risks such as floods, mudslides, and landslides.
Despite the challenges, the district administration clarified that the prohibition would not apply to Sabarimala pilgrims or travel related to the pilgrimage or disaster relief. Pilgrims were advised to exercise caution, particularly at night, given the red alert in the district.
Meanwhile, a tragic incident occurred as a 71-year-old woman was swept away in a stream near Valiyakulam village in Pathanamthitta district during heavy rains. The woman had gone to take a bath when the incident occurred, and she has yet to be found.
The heavy rains have disrupted the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage to the hill-top shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala, inconveniencing thousands of devotees. A red alert signifies heavy to extremely heavy rains (over 20 cm in 24 hours), while an orange alert indicates very heavy rains (6 cm to 20 cm), and a yellow alert denotes heavy rainfall (6 to 11 cm).
