Relentless Rains Sweep Southern India: Alerts Issued, Activities Halted

Southern India's Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu face heavy rainfall, causing disruptions in tourism and education activities. Authorities have placed the regions on high alert and issued weather warnings, while the northeast monsoon continues to batter multiple districts with severe downpours.

The relentless downpour has engulfed Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district, recording seven centimeters of rain in the past 24 hours. The administration, maintaining high alert status, has suspended tourism for 48 hours and prohibited beach visits, confirmed an official statement.

Nellore Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Shukla reported to ANI, "With an average rainfall of 7 cm in the last day, countermeasures are in full swing. We've accounted for all fishing vessels and shut beaches, suspending tourism for two days. We declared a holiday today and may continue tomorrow." Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has escalated alerts in several Kerala districts and predicted similar conditions ahead.

The IMD initially placed a red alert on Idukki, Palakkad, and Malappuram but later downgraded it to orange while issuing a yellow alert for other regions. These warnings anticipate isolated heavy showers today.

The adverse weather prompted district officials in Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Pathanamthitta to close educational institutions, restricting night travel in Idukki as the storm persists. Concurrently, Tamil Nadu contends with monsoon effects, with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin emphasizing the continuous rainfall across Chennai and nearby districts.

During a meeting in Chennai, Stalin addressed the northeast monsoon's ferocity, warning of imminent harsher weather. The meteorological forecast suggests impending escalations, surpassing last year's rainfall.

(With inputs from agencies.)