Thiruvananthapuram, June 29: Heavy rain continued across Kerala on Sunday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for 11 districts. The weather department has warned of very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state over the next few days.
According to the IMD, the districts under orange alert are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
The IMD had initially issued the orange alert for six districts but later expanded it to 11 districts as rainfall became more intense across Kerala.
A yellow alert remains in place for Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
The weather department has also extended alerts for the coming days. Orange alerts have been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod on June 29, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on June 30, and Kannur and Kasaragod on July 1.
An orange alert means there is a chance of very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours. A yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm in 24 hours.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has asked people living in landslide-prone areas, near rivers, and downstream of dams to move to safer places if directed by local authorities.
The KSDMA also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, waterfalls and flooded areas, and avoid visiting hill stations until the weather improves.
District and taluk control rooms are working round the clock. People can contact the emergency helpline numbers 1077 and 1070 for assistance.