Red alert sounded in Kottayam

All departments directed to initiate steps to face emergency situations

Based on the latest weather prediction from the India Meteorological Department, the authorities have sounded a red alert in the district on Friday.

Following this, the District Collector on Thursday directed all departments to initiate steps to face emergency situations. Controls rooms have been opened in the head quarters of all taluk centres.

For any emergencies, contact the Collectorate Control Room- 0481-2304800, 9446562236 or to the toll free number 1077.

In Idukki

A Correspondent writes from Idukki:

After a long gap, the district witnessed widespread rainfall on Thursday. A red alert was sounded in the district on Thursday in

view of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast.

Precautionary measures were taken by the district administration to meet the situation.

For the last 24 hours, Idukki recorded an average of 11.36 mm rainfall. The rainfall recorded in the taluk level were Peermade -11 mm, Udumbanchola -2 mm, Devikulam - 4.5 mm, Thodupuzha - 22.3 mm and Idukki - 17 mm.

The water level in Idukki dam was 2,303.52 ft and at Mullapperiyar dam, it was 112 ft.

The power generation at the Moolamattom Power House of Idukki dam remained at a low. An official at the Dam Monitoring and Research Station, Vazhathoppe, said that the water level continued to fall in Idukki dam despite the generation being lowered. Even if the monsoon gets momentum, it may take at least two days incessant rainfall to make any impact on the water-level.

No rain-related incident was reported and some of the cardamom plantations had announced a holiday for the workers in view of the IMD forecast.

The tourism town of Munnar witnessed only a nominal rainfall on Thursday. It is expected that the rains may get momentum in the coming days.