Cyclonic storm: Red alert issued in 4 districts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:01.12.2020

IMD and Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have asked people to stay away from beaches and coasts as the sea will turn rough from Tuesday. The weather report said that a depression – formed in the southeast Bay of Bengal – is moving toward Kanyakumari and south Kerala coasts which will later become a cyclonic storm at night on Wednesday.

The IMD on Monday issued orange alert (very heavy rainfall of 11-20cm) for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki on Wednesday. Red alert (extremely heavy rain of over 20cm) has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha on Thursday with an orange alert in Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki. The winds on these days would become gales (speeds reaching 70-80km/hr and gusting to 90 km/ hr). Kerala has imposed a total ban on fishing in the Arabian Sea and all fishermen have been asked to return to the nearest coast. Squally weather with wind is likely over southwest Bay of Bengal, Kerala coast, southeast Arabian Sea, Maldives and Lakshadweep by Wednesday.

District disaster management authority of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki are on alert. KSDMA officials informed district teams to ensure that trees, likely to be uprooted, be trimmed down with help of fire brigade.

All hoarding and boards are being removed to prevent damages and people have been told not to park cars under trees. Travel to high ranges is being discouraged for the next few days.

Control rooms will be opened in all taluk offices with deputy tahsildars. Irrigation department officials have been asked to monitor water levels in rivers, dams and reservoirs.