Cyclone Tauktae: Red Alert In Kerala

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Kerala has already been struggling to cope with a massive surge in COVID-19 cases amid the second wave of the pandemic. Now, there is more trouble in store.

Cyclone Tauktae, the first cyclone of the year, is likely to lash parts of Kerala in the next two days.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert for three districts in the southern state — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta — for Friday vis-à-vis intensifying cyclonic storm Tauktae over the Arabian Sea. For five other districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod – IMD has issued red alert for Saturday.

The low pressure, currently located near Lakshadweep, will move in a north-westerly direction and gain enough speed, the regional met office said.

The state government has opened control rooms to keep a strict vigil over the impending cyclone.

South Kerala has been witnessing heavy rainfall and strong winds since Thursday morning and high tide has been reported in several coastal areas. Several low-lying areas have been submerged because of incessant rain.