Rescue workers searching for people in the debris
Cyclone Fengal continues to wreak havoc in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many people have lost their lives in the rains and landslides caused by the cyclone. There are chances of heavy rain in the coming days also. In such a situation, many teams of NDRF and SDRP have been deployed for relief and rescue operations. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out in the districts of Tamil Nadu where rain has caused damage. The rescue team has recovered five bodies from the debris on Annamalaiyar hill. After an intensive search that continued since Monday morning, these five bodies were found in the house which was buried under mud and rocks after torrential rains on December 1. Police said rescue workers recovered the body of a child on Monday evening and four more bodies were later discovered. There was a landslide in the hilly area due to the impact of Cyclone Fengal from the night of December 1.
Police said that the bodies have been sent to the government hospital and a woman is also among the dead. Residents of VOC Nagar in the foothills told officials that a couple, their two children and three other children were trapped in a house that was hit by a landslide on the night of December 1. The search for two more missing people continues.
Red alert in Kerala
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a warning of heavy rain in Kerala due to Cyclone Fengal. The cyclone has currently weakened into a low pressure area over northern interior Tamil Nadu and extended to southern interior Karnataka. Meteorologists expect the system to move further and develop further, possibly emerging over the south-east and east-central Arabian Sea near the north coasts of Kerala and Karnataka around December 3. Light to moderate rain is expected over most areas in Kerala, while very heavy rain and thundershowers are expected over isolated areas. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in northern and central parts of the state on Tuesday.
Rain expected for five days
The IMD said intermittent light to moderate rain and occasional thunderstorms are expected for the next five days. A red alert has been issued for five northern districts – Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram on Monday. Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts are on orange alert, while Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are on yellow alert. Officials said an NDRF team is on standby as red alert has been issued in Wayanad. He said that there are five NDRF teams in Kerala.
Two teams deployed in Sabarimala
Two teams have been deployed in Sabarimala and one team each in Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. State Revenue Minister K Rajan has urged residents to remain alert as the rains are likely to intensify over North Kerala. According to the IMD, Red Alert denotes heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm in 24 hours, Orange Alert denotes very heavy rainfall between 11 cm to 20 cm and Yellow Alert warns of heavy rainfall of 6 cm to 11 cm. Authorities have issued warnings against fishing along the Kerala coast on December 2 and 3, off the south Karnataka coast on December 2, off the Karnataka coast on December 3 and in the Lakshadweep area from December 3 to 5.
Dam gates will be opened
According to the executive engineer of Pazhassi Irrigation Project Division, due to heavy rains in Kannur district and increased water flow in Pazhassi reservoir, the shutters of the dam will be opened at 8 am on Tuesday to release excess water. Residents living downstream have been advised to remain alert. After the rains, three relief camps have been opened in Kottayam district. One camp has been set up in Changanassery taluk and two camps in Kottayam taluk. A total of 71 people from 22 families are currently living in three camps, officials said.
school holidays
District administrations in Kasaragod, Malappuram, Thrissur and Alappuzha on Tuesday declared holiday for all educational institutions including vocational colleges, tuition centres, anganwadis and madrassas. However, the administration clarified that model residential schools will remain open. Kasaragod District Collector has announced that this holiday will not be applicable on pre-scheduled examinations. The Thrissur District Collector said that this holiday will not apply to the Revenue District School Art Festival or residential educational institutions. Earlier on Monday, similar holidays were declared for educational institutions including professional colleges and anganwadis in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam and Wayanad districts. (Input- PTI language)
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