Thiruvananthapuram: Two days after the early onset of the southwest monsoon in Kerala, heavy rains lashed many parts of the state, causing landslides, uprooting of trees and waterlogging. Heavy rains have been lashing Kottayam, Idukki and parts of Ernakulam since Friday night. Landslides and uprooting of trees were reported in Poochpara and Kolappara areas in the interiors of the hilly district of Idukki last night. Locals said some houses and vehicles were damaged in the landslides but there was no report of any loss of life.
Traffic restrictions have been imposed on the Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala state highway due to the potential threat of landslides. District authorities have advised people living along the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers to exercise caution after five gates of the Malankara dam were opened in Idukki. People living near the Meenachal and Manimala rivers have also been urged to remain alert in view of heavy rains in various parts of neighbouring Kottayam district. Continuous rains for several hours since yesterday evening led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in many parts of Kottayam.
On Friday night, Vadavathoor region received 100 mm rainfall, while urban areas of Kottayam received 99 mm, officials said. Though the port city of Kochi received moderate rains, Aluva region of Ernakulam has been receiving heavy rains since the night of May 31. According to an update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with speeds up to 40 kmph are likely at one or two places in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts in the morning. Moderate rain is likely at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Kozhikode and Kannur districts.
The southwest monsoon made an early onset over Kerala and the Northeast region on May 30, setting the stage for the four-month rainy season crucial for the agriculture-dependent Indian economy. According to meteorologists, cyclone ‘Remal’, which hit West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday, had pulled the monsoon flow into the Bay of Bengal, which could be one of the reasons for the early onset of monsoon over the Northeast. Thrissur district has been receiving heavy rains since this morning, leaving a large number of people stranded at bus stands and railway stations.
Waterlogging and traffic jams were reported in various parts of the city. According to the latest radar imagery, Thrissur is likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall with gusty winds up to 40 kmph for the next three hours, the weather department said. Officials have urged people to remain alert as waterlogging on major roads and poor visibility may lead to traffic jams. They also warned of flooding in many parts of low-lying areas and river banks.
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