Extremely heavy rain in Kerala; ban on tourist destinations, collector issues warning

KALPETTA: District Collector V Chelsasini has imposed a complete ban for today on resorts, homestays, tourist destinations, adventure tourism activities and trekking in disaster-prone areas following a warning of extremely heavy rainfall. The collector also directed the secretaries of the respective local self-government institutions to take the necessary steps to relocate people living in disaster-prone areas to safer locations.

The collector further stated that the Meppadi Panchayat Secretary and the Vellarmala Village Officer should jointly take the necessary measures to relocate people living in the construction area of the Aanakkampoyil–Kalladi tunnel road project. The authorities warned that punitive action would be taken against those who violate the order.
Following heavy rainfall throughout the day yesterday, waterlogging occurred in several parts of Kalpetta town. Wayanad is under red alert today, with extremely heavy rainfall forecast. According to the India Meteorological Department, extremely heavy rainfall refers to rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

Due to heavy rain, water entered the Vellachal Ooru settlement in Cheeral, prompting the authorities to open a relief camp at Kallingara Government Lower Primary School.
Rainfall has intensified in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Heavy rain triggered landslides at several locations on the Mettupalayam–Ooty National Highway and the Mettupalayam–Kotagiri State Highway yesterday.

The Nilgiris district and Mettupalayam, which lies in the foothills, have been experiencing heavy rainfall. Landslides occurred at 14 locations on the Coonoor Road and three locations on the Kotagiri Road. Around midnight, mud and rocks fell onto a government bus at Barliyar, killing the driver. The dead has been identified as Kanakaraj (50) of Bettatti in Ooty.

No other casualties have been reported so far. Vehicles carrying tourists, including students who had arrived from various parts of Kerala, remained stranded for several hours overnight. However, they were able to leave Mettupalayam safely by early morning.

On the forest road between Coonoor and Mettupalayam, vehicles remain stranded between Barliyar and Coonoor, unable to move either forward or backward.

Police rescue operations are being intensified in the area under the leadership of Coimbatore Range Inspector General of Police Ramya Bharathi. All vehicles heading towards Ooty are currently being stopped at Mettupalayam itself.

As a precautionary measure, the police have closed both entry points and routes leading to the Nilgiris district. Authorities have urged people to postpone their trips to the Nilgiris due to the possibility of further heavy rainfall. Government bus services to Ooty have also been suspended.