Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Wayanad and its neighbouring districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur — forecasting likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall.
This warning comes in the wake of incessant rains that have already triggered devastating landslides in Wayanad, resulting in huge loss of life and property.
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These Kerala districts are expected to receive more than 20 cm of rainfall within 24 hours.
In addition to Wayanad, an orange alert has been declared for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts of Kerala for Tuesday (July 30).
An orange alert, forecasting very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm, has also been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur for Wednesday (July 31).
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The rest of Kerala, excluding Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam is under a yellow alert, which forecasts heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
Amid the heavy rainfall, rescue efforts are intensifying in Wayanad, which has been severely affected by landslides.
The Kerala government has dispatched multiple National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and two helicopters to Mundakkai, an area that has been completely isolated due to the landslides.
As of the latest reports, the official death toll from the Wayanad landslides, which occurred early on Tuesday (July 30), has risen to 80, including several children and women.
Authorities fear that the number may increase as rescue operations continue.
Over 70 individuals have been admitted to various hospitals, and many remain stranded in different parts of Wayanad due to the ongoing heavy rains.