With Cyclone Gaja expected to hit Tamil Nadu on November 15 and 16, six districts in Kerala have been issued yellow and orange alerts on both days.
According to tweets by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a yellow alert has been issued in three districts on November 15, namely Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki. On November 16, four districts, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Alappuzha, have yellow alerts, while Idukki is on orange alert.
The SDMA tweeted that Kerala could be expected to get heavy rainfall due to the cyclone, according to the IMD, due to which the alerts have been issued.
“Because of the Cyclonic Storm 'GAJA' over West central and adjoining East central & South Bay of Bengal, IMD has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places of Kerala, 15th November onwards,” the tweet read.
The SDMA has issued public alerts warning people not to go to hilly areas between 7 am and 7 pm on both days. Tweets put out have also warned the public to not stop by small rapids and water channels in hilly areas.
3. Avoid tourism to hilly areas and beaches.
— Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (@KeralaSDMA) November 14, 2018
4. Do not spread rumour. Follow this page and the page of Chief Minister's Office for authentic information
5. Do not cross the river
Instructions to pack all certificates and valuable jewellery in water proof containers or bags have also been given.
9. Ensure that all certificates and valuable jewellery are packed in water proof containers or bags and stored at a height
— Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (@KeralaSDMA) November 14, 2018
Ensure that all certificates and valuable jewellery are packed in water proof containers or bags and stored at a height.An emergency list which includes 100 grams of dried grapes or dates, biscuits or rusk, a knife, 10 chlorine tablets for purifying water, one battery bank or necessary batteries to power the torch, fully charged phones with call balance, matchbox or lighter and necessary money have been asked to be kept ready.
Those in the vulnerable districts have been asked to follow a few radio stations closely for timely updates on the weather. Emergency helpline number has been given as 1077 along with the STD code of the district the call is being made from. Further, people have also been instructed to keep numbers of districts panchayat officials at hand, in case of an emergency.
Listen to the following radio stations of All India Radio and Dooradashan
— Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (@KeralaSDMA) November 14, 2018
Trivandrum തിരുവനന്തപുരം MW (AM Channel): 1161 kHz
Alappuzha ആലപ്പുഴ MW (AM Channel): 576 kHz
Thrissur തൃശൂര് MW (AM Channel): 630 kHz
Calicut കോഴിക്കോട് MW (AM Channel): 684 kHz