Kerala Rains: 6 Dead, 60 Houses Damaged, CM Signals 'Crisis' if Rain Continues

A red alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki.

Image used for representational purposes only. 

(Photo: The Quint) 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday, 1 August, that six people had died and one was missing amid heavy rainfall in the state.

Also, five houses had completely collapsed, while 55 had partially collapsed.

"Tomorrow, Tuesday, the heavy rainfall is expected in south and central Kerala. The rain is expected to reach North Kerala in the days after that," Vijayan said.

He also said that a red alert had been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts in the state. Meanwhile, orange alert was in place in two districts.

"Landslides, water logging in low lying areas and flash floods can be expected if the rains continue," he said, adding, "If this amount of rain continues in Kerala there could be a crisis."

Further, four National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams had been deployed in Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Idukki, and Thrissur districts. Also, four more NDRF teams are expected to reach Kerala and will be deployed to Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, and Malappuram.

Further, a State Emergency Operations Center of the Disaster Management Authority has been set up and control rooms would be operational in all districts and taluks.

"Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea," the CM added.