KERALA: Thiruvananthapuram experienced a deluge on Wednesday as heavy rain battered numerous areas of Kerala. The downpour resulted in widespread waterlogging, uprooted trees, and inflicted damage upon residential and commercial structures. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for three districts - Idukki, Kasaragod, and Kannur - while an orange alert was announced for the remaining 11 districts.

A red alert signifies the likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, surpassing 20 cm within a 24-hour period. On the other hand, an orange alert indicates the expectation of very heavy rains ranging from 6 cm to 20 cm. A yellow alert suggests heavy rainfall ranging from 6 to 11 cm.

The IMD forecasted moderate to extreme rainfall for the next three to five days across the state. In six districts - Kannur, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, and Kasaragod - educational institutions declared a holiday as a precautionary measure.

To oversee the situation, Emergency Operation Centres have been established in all taluks of the state. Revenue Minister K Rajan presided over a high-level meeting attended by district collectors and other revenue officials. In a Facebook post, the minister urged the public to exercise caution while assuring them that there is no need to panic.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts widespread rainfall, heavy showers in isolated areas, and the likelihood of very heavy rains in the upcoming five days.

In response to the severity of the situation, district-level and taluk-level emergency operation centres have been directed to operate round the clock. CM Pinarayi Vijayan informed the public in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the State Emergency Operation Centre has been activated with representatives from various departments and the National Disaster Response Force.

For emergency purposes, seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, and Thrissur districts, as mentioned in the post.

The post also emphasized several guidelines that should be followed. It explicitly cautioned against crossing rivers, bathing, fishing, or entering rivers under any circumstances. Night travel to hilly areas should be avoided whenever possible. Coastal residents were urged to steer clear of danger zones as instructed by authorities due to the possibility of high waves and storm surges. Special attention should be paid to wind hazards.

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