As Pollution Chokes Delhi, Rain Throws South India Out of Gear; Alert in Kerala | Check for Other States

As toxic pollution is choking Delhi and the northern region, October rain is affecting lives in the southern part of India. An ‘orange’ alert was issued in areas of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Some schools had also been shut three days ago.

Heavy rains in Kerala on Sunday had caused landslides in various parts of Idukki district and resulted in the loss of a life and damage to several homes.

Kerala Rains

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted widespread rainfall in Kerala during the next five days due to a cyclonic circulation prevailing over northern Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas.

The IMD said widespread moderate to medium rainfall was likely to occur in Kerala during the next five days. Heavy rains were likely at isolated places in the state between November 6 and 9.

The IMD issued an orange alert in Ernakulam and Palakkad districts of the state for the day. It also issued yellow alerts in nine districts of the state.

Heavy rains in the state on November 5 caused landslides in some parts of the high range Idukki district, resulting in the loss of one life.

The Idukki district administration restricted night-time travel on the Munnar-Kumily state highway between Udambachola and Cheriyar areas of the district in view of the danger of landslides occurring in those parts.

It has restricted travel on that route between 7pm to 6am from November 8 onwards till further notice.

Tamil Nadu Rains

Tamil Nadu is also witnessing a substantial rainfall. The Valparai district in Coimbatore received 13cm of rainfall on Sunday, with Valparai Taluk receiving the same amount.

Additionally, Veerapandi received 11cm, Tondi received 11cm, and Bodinaickanur received 10cm of rainfall.

Due to bad weather forecast on November 4 and 5, schools in nine districts — Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Theni, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Sivagangai, and Nellai — were temporarily shut for a day.

According to local reports, the heavy rainfall has caused issues in several areas in the southern state, such as Pasupathipalayam and Tadavalaga, where waterlogging on main roads has created difficulties for commuters.

Water in the Vagai Dam reached 66 feet on Sunday morning, prompting authorities to issue the first flood warning of the season. The dam received an inflow of 3,177 cusecs of water.

Meanwhile, the Periyar dam’s water level stood at 125.5 feet out of its capacity of 152 feet.

Karnataka Rains

The IMD forecasted light to moderate rain at most places over coastal and south interior Karnataka till Tuesday. Light rain is very likely to occur at isolated places over North Interior Karnataka, it said.

The weather agency had earlier issued two-day heavy rainfall warning over Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Mandya, Mysuru and Shivamogga districts, and a thunderstorm warning at isolated places over the state as well.

On Monday, heavy rain lashed Bengaluru, which led to several roads getting waterlogged. Some underpasses were also flooded with knee-deep water. Several areas, including Malleswaram, Shantinagar, Mysore Bank, and Town Hall witnessed heavy downpours

On Saturday evening, the city witnessed rain in several areas. Rainfall occurred at a few places over coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka.

Rainfall in Eastern India

A light to moderate rainfall is expected in the Andaman Nicobar Islands over the next seven days.

In Odisha, light to moderate rainfall was reported in a few places in south coastal Odisha on Sunday, while one or two places in the rest of the districts of Odisha also experienced similar conditions.