Kerala: Trees uprooted, houses damaged amid heavy rains

Incessant rains accompanied by gusty winds continued to batter several parts of Kerala leading tree collapse and houses damage incidents reported the PTIHeavy rains also prompted the authorities to declare a holiday for educational institutions in seven districts on MondaySeveral houses suffered partial damage in the rural areas of northern Kozhikode including Onchiyam Kottur Payyoli and so onHeavy monsoon showers accompanied by strong winds have been reported across the state for the last two daysIn view of continuous rains the district authorities of Thrissur Malappuram Kozhikode Kannur Kasaragod Ernakulam and Wayanad have declared a holiday for educational institutionsShutters of various dams were also raised due to the rainsMeanwhile the Indian Meteorological Department IMD predicted extremely heavy rainfall in northern Malappuram Kannur and Kasaragod districts and placed these northern districts under red alert according to the PTIAccording to its latest update the weatherman issued an orange alert in Ernakulam Thrissur Palakkad Idukki Kozhikode and Wayanad districtsIn Kottayam district fallen trees damaged houses and vehicles following heavy rains and gusty winds since early morningThe district administration in Pathanamthitta urged people living in the catchment area of Moozhiyar Dam to maintain extra vigil as its shutters were raisedThe Kerala Disaster Management Authority warned that waterlogging on major roads and poor visibility of vehicles may lead to traffic congestionFlooding in many parts of lowlying areas and river banks and uprooting of trees may cause damage related to the power sector the KSDMA addedA red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours while an orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cmIMD forecasts heavy rainfall in Odisha till July 19 due to low pressure over Bay of BengalOdisha is bracing for prolonged rainfall in the next four days due to a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal the India Meteorological Department IMD said on Monday as per the PTIWhile one low pressure area was formed another is likely to follow on July 19 the IMD saidAccording to the weather agency heavy to very heavy rainfall 7 to 20cm may take place at one or two places in Koraput Malkangiri Nabarangpur and Rayagada on July 15 due to a lowpressure zone northwest of the westcentral Bay of Bengal off the South Odisha coastwith PTI inputs