Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 19 (NationPress) As the northeast monsoon begins, Kerala is facing severe rainfall that has resulted in flooding, landslides, and extensive destruction across multiple areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has alerted that this intense rainfall is expected to persist until Wednesday due to a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea.

An orange alert has been issued for five northern districts: Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod as of Sunday, while most other districts remain under a yellow alert, except for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha.

Disaster management teams are on high alert in the at-risk zones.

In Idukki, heavy rains have resulted in one fatality in Kumily, where a local named Thankachan lost his life after his two-wheeler skidded off the slick road at Vellaramkunnu on Saturday night. Residents reported that his vehicle collided with a mound of mud formed due to a landslide.

Isolated landslides have also been documented in other parts of Idukki, obstructing roads at Pathumuri in Vellaramkunnu. “Around midnight, a significant amount of mud slid onto the road. We are concerned about more such occurrences if the rainfall continues,” a resident commented.

Kumily experienced extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday night, flooding several shops and low-lying regions. The rivers in Idukki are overflowing after the spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were opened to release surplus water.

The dam's water level is currently at 139.20 feet, with a discharge rate of 8,838 cubic feet per second (cusecs), according to officials.

In Malappuram, heavy rain has submerged roads and nearly 50 homes in Vazhikkadavu. Traffic was halted for over an hour at Manimoola on the Gudallur–Kozhikode route.

Flooding has also been reported in Randampadam, Modapoyka, and surrounding areas.

Locals indicated that the flooding was due to the overflow of the Karakodan, Kalakkan, and Athithode rivers.

In Kochi, roads near the South Railway Station became waterlogged following the overnight rainfall. However, the situation began to improve by morning as the rain subsided and water levels decreased.

Authorities are advising the public to remain vigilant, steer clear of hilly areas, and heed safety warnings as heavy rains are anticipated to persist over the coming days.