Pinarayi Vijayan | Photo: PTI
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the public to exercise extreme caution as Kerala will continue to receive heavy downpour in the next days. People in all districts must stay vigilant and follow the directions of the authority without failure, he appealed.
As per the forecast of the India Meteorological Department, torrential rains will continue in Kerala till August 8. IMD sounded an orange alert for Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on Friday.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the people living on the banks of water bodies to be extremely cautious. They have been asked to follow the directives of the district authorities and be prepared to move to relief camps if a need arises.
"Those living in low-lying areas in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts and had moved out to relief camps during the 2018 floods, should do so this time as well. Night travel should not be undertaken on the higher ranges of the state. With most of the rivers in spate, none should attempt to cross it and fishing and swimming have been banned. In vulnerable places, residents should ensure they have an emergency kit packed and kept ready," said Pinarayi Vijayan.
The heavy downpour resulted in water levels of various rivers -- like Chalakudy, Pampa, Manimala and Achankovil -- in various districts rising close to or crossing danger levels.
A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that six major dams -- Ponmudi, Lower Periyar, Kallarkutty, Erattayar and Kundala in Idukki and Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta districts have reached red alert water storage levels.
It further said fake news should not be spread and for emergency help, the district disaster management authority's toll-free number 1077 was available.
(with inputs from agencies)
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