Red alert in 3 Kerala districts for extremely heavy rainfall, tourists advised to avoid hilly regions

A red alert has been issued in three districts of Kerala for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to IMD, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Idukki are likely to face very heavy rains.

"Heavy rainfall (7-11 cm in 24 hours) is most likely to occur at one or two places on 3rd of October. Heavy to very heavy rainfall (12 - 20 cm in 24 hours) is most likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala on 4th, 5th and  6th October and very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall (21 cm and above in 24 hrs) is most likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala on 7th October 2018," said IMD on the official website.

It also said that heavy rainfall is most likely to occur at one or two places in Lakshadweep on October 5, 6 and 7.

Stating that a low-pressure area is very likely to form over the Southeast Arabian Sea on 5th October, the IMD said, "The rainfall is likely to concentrate into a depression and move northwestwards during subsequent 48 hours. It is also likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm thereafter. Fishermen are advised not to venture into south-east and the central Arabian Sea from October 5, 2018 onward."

Reacting to the IMD warning, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Fishermen have been advised to reach the safer coast by 5 October. A red alert has been declared in 3 districts for October 7. Disaster Management Authority has met to assess the situation."

Vijayan also said that the state government has sought support from central agencies and asked for 5 companies of NDRF.

"District administration has been directed to take necessary action to handle the crisis. Tourists have been advised not to travel to hilly regions, especially to Munnar," the Chief Minister said.

In August, Kerala witnessed its worst floods in a century. According to the government's figures, 443 people have died while 54.11 lakh people in 14 districts of the state were severely affected.

People from all over the country and abroad had pitched in to help the state by offering material and also cash donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF).