India on High Alert: Heavy Rains Trigger Warnings and Travel Bans

Indian State Kerala is facing severe weather conditions as heavy rains continue to impact several districts. Thunderstorms, moderate rainfall, and gusty winds up to 40 km/h are expected. The Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts, and orange alerts for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam. In response, the Idukki District Collector has banned night travel in hilly areas, and mining activities have been suspended in Ernakulam and Kottayam. Thiruvananthapuram has already experienced significant waterlogging, disrupting daily life.

Authorities in Kerala have urged residents, particularly in hilly and coastal regions, to stay vigilant as heavy rains continue to affect the area. The Meteorological Department issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki for Sunday and Monday, while orange alerts were given for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam.

The weather forecast includes thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds up to 40 km/h in districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Kasaragod until 1 pm on Sunday.

To ensure safety, the Idukki District Collector has enforced a ban on night travel through the district's hilly areas, effective from Sunday and continuing until the weather alerts are lifted. Strict instructions have been issued to local authorities to implement this ban effectively.

Mining activities have also been halted in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts due to the forecasted heavy rainfall.

Thiruvananthapuram, in particular, saw heavy rains on Saturday night, causing waterlogging in the city and its suburbs, which disrupted normal life. News footage showed flooded houses and shops in several parts of the city.

The non-completion of the Smart City Road project has exacerbated waterlogging issues in many areas. Additionally, overflowing canals crisscrossing the capital and its suburbs have worsened the situation. Residents have attributed the waterlogging to the lack of pre-monsoon cleaning of canals and drainage systems.