Red alert issued as heavy rains cause widespread damage –

As monsoon intensifies, heavy rain continues to batter across Kerala, causing widespread damage.
 
Met Dept had issued a red alert in Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod districts today and an orange alert in all other districts. Large-scale damage is being reported in heavy rain and storms. Rail, road traffic and power supply are badly hit in many regions. As the water level continues to increase, the shutters of major dams are raised. Night traffic has been completely banned in the hilly areas of the Idukki district. A holiday has been declared for all educational institutions in 9 districts today. Fishing continues to be banned on the Kerala, Karnataka Lakshadweep coasts till Sunday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the public to be extremely vigilant and those living in landslide-prone areas to move to safer places and relief camps immediately. Nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force will be deployed in the State.