In a relief to Kerala, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday scaled down the rough weather alert sounded across the state for Wednesday and Thursday.
Some parts of the landslide-hit Kottayam district in central Kerala and North Kerala district Kozhikode received heavy rains during the day. However, no untoward incidents were reported. Isolated heavy rainfall was forecast over the state for the next two to three days as a cyclonic circulation lies over south Tamil Nadu coast and neighbourhood
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that a total of 42 Covid deaths were reported in the state from October 12 onwards in rain and landslide related incidents, while six persons were still missing.
While the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front demanded an inquiry into the alleged lapses in weather alert systems and disaster management, the Chief Minister said that there were technological limitations for the weather alert systems.
According to the latest forecast of the IMD, an orange alert was there only in Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts for Thursday. A yellow alert was issued in five districts. Earlier, an orange alert was issued in 11 of the 14 districts of the state for Wednesday and 12 districts on Thursday.
As the water started receding in many flood-affected areas of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, families started to return to their homes and start the cleaning process. Around 3,850 persons were still staying in over 300 relief camps across the state.
"Extra care would be taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 through relief camps," said the Chief Minister.
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