Kerala: CM Pinarayi Vijayan called emergency meeting after IMD issued warning of extremely heavy rains in the state

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called an emergency meeting after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning of extremely heavy rains on October 7 in three districts of the state. The red alert about a cyclonic depression over southeast Arabian sea and adjoining Lakshadweep.

The IMD warned of heavy rain till October 6 in many districts of Kerala followed the heavy rains in Idukki, Palakkad and Thrissur districts on October 7.

An emergency meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan alerted the coastal population and fishermen to be careful.

KSDMA member secretary State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) head scientist Sekharhi Kuriakose was quoted by The Times of India as saying “A low-pressure area is very likely to form over southeast Arabian sea and adjoining Lakshadweep area on October 6. It is likely to intensify into a depression and move north-westwards during subsequent 48 hours and the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea”.

Informing about the warning, the twitter handle of Chief Minister’s office tweeted “Met Centre has predicted that heavy (7-11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12-20 cm in 24 hours) rainfall is likely to occur at 1 or 2 places in Kerala on 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th of October. Extremely heavy rainfall (21 cm & above in 24 hrs) is likely to occur at 1 or 2 places on 7th”.

As SEOC scientists warned, such a phenomena can cause sea erosion triggering floods and landslides. Till October 6, those districts which have been issued red alert will be on yellow alert till 6 October. The yellow alert is the first level of disaster alert for caution and preparedness.
“All preparedness will be in place with emergency measures on a war-footing in the state to minimise the risks involved in cases of any eventuality in Kerala due to extremely heavy rains and strong winds with rough seas. Three districts Idukki, Palakkad and Thrissur will be on Red alert on October 7,” said the CM at the meeting.

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