At least 15 dead as monsoon wreaks havoc in Kerala: Is more rain on the way?
With at least 15 people dead and many others missing, Kerala is facing another round of intense monsoon rain after days of flooding, landslides and
With at least 15 people dead and many others missing, Kerala is facing another round of intense monsoon rain after days of flooding, landslides and damage across the state. The weather situation remains serious, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for eight districts on Tuesday, August 4, for the next 24 hours. The latest spell has already taken lives and forced thousands of people from their homes, with more than 11,000 people staying in relief camps across the state. Children cover themselves and move on a waterlogged road following rainfall in Kochi, Kerala. (Photo: PTI) Read Full Story FLOODS, LANDSLIDES HIT SEVERAL DISTRICTS The damage has been widespread, particularly across parts of central and northern Kerala.
News agency PTI reported that heavy rain triggered landslides, flooding and waterlogging in several areas. Journalists, residents and officials had a narrow escape after a fresh soil slip at Panakkad in #Malappuram on Monday while covering an earlier landslip. A few sustained minor injuries.#Kerala Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kannur were among the worst-affected districts. The state government said 27 houses had been completely destroyed and 196 partially damaged in the earlier phase of the spell. The latest IMD observations show that the rain has not completely eased. In the 21 hours ending at 5:30 am on August 4, Bayar in Kasaragod recorded 13 cm of rain. Muliyar received 9 cm, while Kannur and Kannur Airport recorded 8 cm each.
WILL KERALA GET MORE RAIN? The IMD has placed Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod under a red warning for August 4, indicating the possibility of very heavy rain of 12–20 cm at isolated places. Four other districts, including Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram, are under an orange warning. The rain is expected to continue beyond Tuesday. The IMD forecasts isolated heavy rainfall of 7–11 cm in Kerala from August 5 to 8. Rain or thundershowers are likely at most places through August 8, before becoming more scattered on August 9 and 10. Residents wade through water in front on their inundated home in Kerala. (Photo: PTI) WHY IS KERALA GETTING SO MUCH RAIN? The intense spell is being fuelled by a combination of weather systems.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation present over south interior Karnataka, and another over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal Andhra Pradesh, have been attributed to the intense monsoon spell lashing God's own country. Strong westerly and northwesterly winds are also prevailing over Kerala in the lower atmosphere, carrying moisture towards the state, helping clouds develop and sustain rainfall. With the ground already saturated and rivers running high in several areas, even another round of heavy rain could worsen flooding and landslide risks. For Kerala, therefore, the immediate concern is not just when the rain will stop, but whether the state gets enough of a break before the next heavy spell arrives. Ends
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