6 dead, a dozen missing as heavy rain pounds Kerala; red alert in 5 districts

KOTTAYAM: At least six people lost their lives and a dozen went missing today as heavy rain pounded south and central Kerala causing flash floods and landslides in several parts of the state.

The heavy rainfall prompted the state government to seek the assistance of the defence forces for rescue operations.

Many hilly areas of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta are experiencing almost similar to that of the situation the state faced during the time of devastating floods of 2018 and 2019 but authorities said everything was under control and there was no need for any panic.

However, the rescue teams of the state police and fire force could not reach the affected areas due to floods and adverse weather conditions prevailing there.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department issued 'Red Alert' for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur districts.

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An orange alert warning of very heavy rainfall was also issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

Kerala is expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls till the morning of October 17.

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