Dam shutters open as Kerala braces for rains

Kerala, which is still struggling to cope with the effects of the devastating floods that hit the state in August, is bracing up for another spell of heavy rains over next five-six days. Shutters of dams in Thrissur and Palakkad districts were lifted to drain out excess water

There is a forecast for heavy rains in many parts of Kerala beginning Friday. A red alert has been issued for October 7 and an orange alert for October 8. The administration is preparing for the rains, learning from the August experience of raging monsoon.

IMD also issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry stating “heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy falls likely in isolated places” on October 7 due to a severe storm in the Arabian Sea.

As conditions are expected to be “rough to very rough”, fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till 8 October. The IMD has warned that Tamil Nadu may see more than 25 cm rainfall on Sunday.

“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the southeast and central Arabian Sea from 6 October onwards. Fishermen in deep-sea areas of southeast and the central Arabian Sea are advised to return to coast before Oct 6,” the IMD said.