THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Large parts of Kerala remained under the grip of heavy rain on Wednesday, with floodwaters inundating low-lying areas, roads remaining waterlogged and authorities stepping up evacuation efforts by opening more relief camps.The southern districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam continued to bear the brunt of the downpour. Incessant showers and overcast skies disrupted normal life, while residents, including the elderly, women and children, were seen wading through knee-deep water in several inundated localities.As floodwaters were yet to recede from many low-lying areas and several houses remained submerged, more people were shifted to relief camps. Local authorities said additional camps had been opened to accommodate those evacuated as the rain persisted.Several northern districts, including the high-range areas of Kozhikode and Kannur, also received widespread rainfall.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by surface wind speeds of up to 40 kmph at isolated places in Alappuzha and Kottayam during the morning hours.Moderate rainfall accompanied by winds reaching up to 40 kmph was also likely at isolated places in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam during the same period, the IMD said.According to the weather department, Panathur in Kasaragod district recorded the state’s highest rainfall between 3 am on August 4 and midnight on August 5, receiving 84 mm of rain. Cheruvanchery in Kannur district received 61 mm during the same period.The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) warned of rough sea conditions and high waves ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 metres along the coasts of Thiruvananthapuram (Kappil to Pozhiyoor), Kollam (Alappad to Edava) and Alappuzha (Chellanam to Azhikkal Jetty) from 5.30 am on Wednesday till 11.30 pm on Thursday due to the ‘Kallakkadal’ phenomenon.It also forecast waves of 1.2 to 1.6 metres along the Kanyakumari coast till 2.30 pm on Thursday.In view of the alert, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) advised fishermen and coastal residents to remain vigilant, avoid beaches and all tourism-related activities there until the INCOIS warning is withdrawn, and exercise caution against possible coastal erosion.The KSDMA also urged people living in landslide-, mudslide- and flash flood-prone hilly regions to shift to safer locations during the daytime. Residents of low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding were advised to move to relief camps after assessing the local situation.People were advised against crossing or entering rivers and other waterbodies for bathing, fishing or any other purpose during the heavy rains.The authority urged the public to avoid all non-essential travel during periods of intense rainfall and refrain from visiting waterfalls, reservoirs and hilly tourist destinations until the weather warning is withdrawn.Motorists were advised to exercise caution while travelling along roads near waterbodies and stretches undergoing repair work, warning of an increased risk of road accidents during heavy rain.People were also advised against gathering on bridges over rivers or waterbodies for sightseeing or taking selfies, while night travel to hilly regions should be completely avoided.The authority warned of accidents caused by uprooted trees and damaged electric poles due to strong winds.Meanwhile, educational institutions in 10 districts — Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kasaragod, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Thrissur — remained closed on Wednesday following the heavy rainfall.
