Kerala on high alert: Heavy rains prompt warnings, travel bans in many districts

Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds up to 40 km/h are expected in several districts. The Meteorological Department issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts, and orange alerts for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam. The Idukki District Collector has banned night travel in hilly areas, and mining activities have been halted in Ernakulam and Kottayam. The heavy downpour led to waterlogging in Thiruvananthapuram, disrupting normal life.