Kerala floods death toll rises to 26, no respite as IMD issues orange alert for heavy rain

The fresh rain alert comes after consecutive days of heavy rains, which led to flooding in parts of state. The Kerala government said on Tuesday 52 houses were destroyed and 565 homes were partially damaged since August 1.

Over 18,000 people have been shifted to over 400 relief camps across the state. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha remain the worst affected districts in the state.

The IMD bulletin on Wednesday morning forecast widespread rainfall was likely over Kerala, costal Karnataka, Telangana from August 5 to August 11. The met department also predicted heavy rainfall in parts of the state till Saturday.

“Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal during 5th-7th August; Kerala & Mahe during 5th-8th August; Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka during 5th-7th August; Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during 8th-9th August,” the IMD bulletin added.

Floods engulf part of Kerala

Parts of northern Kerala, including high range areas of Kozhikode and Kannur, has received heavy rains. Floodwaters are yet to recede from most low-lying areas and many houses remained waterlogged.

Several residents were shifted to relief camps as people, including the elderly, women and children, were seen wading through waterlogged areas of the northern districts.

Moderate rainfall accompanied by winds reaching up to 40 kmph is forecasted at isolated places in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam during the same period, according to IMD.

Panathur in Kasaragod district has seen the highest rainfall in the state between 3 am on August 4 and midnight on August 5, receiving 84 mm of rain. Cheruvanchery in Kannur saw 61 mm during the same period.