Heavy rain in State, rivers in spate

As heavy rain lashed various parts of Kerala, water in many rivers rose to dangerous levels, prompting evacuation of hundreds of people living in low-lying areas and riverbanks.

Shutters of some dams in Palakkad and Pathanamthitta districts were opened during the day to release excess water.

The IMD said a low pressure area has formed over Saurashtra-Kutch and adjoining northeast Arabian Sea and there is a cyclonic circulation over southwest Bangladesh and Gangetic West Bengal. As a result, rain and strong winds were likely in the State in the coming days, it said.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said that there is a possibility of high waves ranging from 2 to 3 metres along the Kerala coast on Sunday and urged fishermen and coastal residents to be cautious and avoid launching of small boats, yachts or fishing vessels during this time.

Rain during the last few days raised water levels in various rivers, leading to flooding of low-lying areas and displacing hundreds from their houses. It also led to opening of shutters in some dams, like Banasura Sagar in Wayanad district and Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta district, in the last few days.

Shutters of various dams, including Kanjirapuzha, Malampuzha, and Meenkara in Palakkad were opened on Saturday following a rise in their water levels.