Cyclone Maha: Heavy rain lashes Kerala, families shifted in Ernakulam

With heavy rains lashing parts of Kerala due to the presence of cyclonic storm Maha over the Arabian Sea, a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in four taluks of two districts. Educational institutions including professional colleges in Kochi and Paravur taluks in Ernakulam district, Kodungallur and Chavakad taluks of Thrissur district will remain closed on Thursday.

Kerala:Even as very severe Cyclone Kyarr remains active in the Arabian Sea as it paces towards Oman, away from the western coast of India, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alert for another cyclone brewing in the Arabian Sea.

The weather department has issued a heavy rainfall alert Lakshadweep and Kerala over the next two days and recommended total suspension of fishing operations in the Lakshadweep area and along and off Kerala-Karnataka coasts, south Tamil Nadu coasts till November 2, in its pre-cyclone watch.

Parasuram Express was held up after land slipped on the railway tracks near Parassala. The service resumed after the debris was removed from the track. The rough sea was seen in Paravur area at Njarakkal in Ernakulam and about 350 persons were shifted to the relief camp that was opened at Ramavilasam school in Njarakkal.

About 40 families were relocated from Edavanad. As many as shift 62 families from Thanthonni islet of Mulavukadu village in Kanayannur to relief camps. About 10 boats of fishermen were destroyed in the high tides at Kamalakkadavu in Fort Kochi. The houses behind the Chellanam village office were flooded.

A portion of the Fort Vypin Walkway collapsed in the strong tides. A relief camp was opened at Edavanakkad UP School. Four families are lodged here. An orange alert is sounded in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. A yellow alert is issued in other 10 districts.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced holiday for educational institutions in Kochi, Paravur, Kodungallur and Chavakkad taluks. All exams of MG University were postponed. Though the path of Cyclone Maha does not include Kerala, all fishermen were called back from the sea and fishing is completely banned on the Kerala coast.

Cyclone Kyarr was the first Super Cyclone to have formed in the Arabian Sea in last 12 years after Super Cyclone Gonu in 2007 and was considered to be among the strongest so far. After forming in the east-central Arabian Sea, it began moving northwestwards towards Oman. As per recent forecasts, it is very likely to weaken into a Severe Cyclonic Storm and subsequently into a cyclonic storm by Thursday noon.