There will no relief for Kerala as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rains for the next two days. An official at IMD told TNM that the rains are expected to continue for two more days, predicting “heavy to very heavy rainfall” on Thursday, and “heavy rainfall” on Friday.
Several parts of the state have been reeling following heavy rains since Wednesday. According to official figures, 20 people have been killed in rain-related incidents since Wednesday. A Met official said the areas to have experienced heavy rainfall are the hilly regions of Idukki and Wayanad and Malappuram.
“Nilambur in Malappuram district is reported to have experienced rainfall of 15 cm on Wednesday whereas as of 8.30am on Thursday, rainfall of 40 cm was experienced,” said the IMD official.
According to the official, the amount of rainfall recorded in Idukki has reduced from 13 cm on Wednesday to 10 cm as of 8.30 am on Thursday. However, heavy rains continued to lash Wayanad on Thursday.
“In the Mananthavady area of the Wayanad district, there is an increase in the amount of rainfall from 12 cm on Wednesday to 31 cm as of 8.30 am on Thursday,” the official told TNM.
There has also been an increase in the amount of rainfall experienced in Palakkad district from 4 cms on Wednesday to 21 cm as of 8.30 am on Thursday.
Educational institutions including professional colleges in the Wayanad, Kollam, Palakkad, Kozhikode districts and Aluva will remain shut on Thursday following the heavy rains. Many districts are inundated with water entering houses and marooning colonies.
It has been continuously raining in Wayanad and Palakkad for more than a day. The shutters of the Banasura Sagar dam in the Wayanad district was forced to be raised further, as water levels increased.
After extremely heavy rainfall caused unprecedented damage to life and property in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for an emergency press meet. Acknowledging that unprecedented rains had caused severe damage in several districts of Kerala, Pinarayi said, “If the situation persists, the Idukki and Kakki dams may be opened.” Shortly after the press meeting, the sluice gates of Idukki dam were opened after 26 years onrial run.