Rain fury in Kerala: Idukki, Kottayam under Orange alert

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Idukki and Kottayam districts for the next three hours, warning of the possibility of heavy rainfall. Winds of up to 40 kmph are also likely. The weather centre had earlier issued a yellow alert for seven districts today — Idukki, Kottayam, Kannur, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram. Isolated spells of heavy rain are expected to continue across the state under the influence of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. Thunderstorms are also possible.

Meanwhile, heavy rain continues in Idukki and Kottayam districts. In the eastern parts of Kottayam, heavy rain has been reported in Teekoy, Thalanad, Poonjar, Adivaram and Vagamon. Strong rain is also continuing in the Pala and Bharananganam areas.
The water level in the Meenachil River has risen in the Teekoy area. Traffic has been disrupted on the Vagamon–Erattupetta road, while there are suspicions that a landslide may have occurred in the forested area.