Kerala rains: ‘Yellow alert’ sounded; heavy rains expected today

Given the possibility of heavy rains in Kerala till Saturday, the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain in all the districts of the state except Kasaragod.
Heavy rains lashed parts of the state on Tuesday, forcing the authorities to remain alert. Images of heavy waterlogging in urban parts of Kochi and towns in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Kottayam districts have also affected the smooth start of the 10-day long Onam festival.
District collectors have declared a holiday in schools in flood-affected taluks in several central districts of the state.
Here is the list of districts where a Yellow Alert has been issued:
August 30: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur
August 31: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod
September 1: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
September 2: Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kasaragodi
For the attention of the public
As heavy rains have been predicted, people have been asked to move to safer areas and follow the instructions of the authorities.
With the sea current expected to strengthen, those living along the coast will have to remain vigilant and move if asked to. Fishermen have been asked to secure their equipment.
Fishing is prohibited from 29 August to 1 September off the Kerala coast and from 30 August to 1 September on the Lakshadweep coast. Wind speed reaching 40 to 50 km/h has been forecast.