THIRUVANANTHPURAM, India – At least seven people have died in India’s southern state of Kerala after heavier than normal pre-monsoon rains, authorities said, even as much of South Asia grappled with a heatwave.
Pre-monsoon rains were 18% above normal in Kerala this year, causing flooding in parts and disrupting flights at the Kozhikode airport, officials said.
According to the state’s Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), a 70-year-old man died in a lightning strike in Kasaragod district on Wednesday, while brothers aged 18 and 21 died after falling into a quarry filled with water in Palakkad on Tuesday.
Four people also died in Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts after falling into water, said an official at the SDMA.
The local weather department has issued a red alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in three districts on Thursday.
In contrast to Kerala, most of India and Pakistan faced heatwaves, with India’s capital New Delhi ordering the closure of schools earlier this week.
The South India pre-monsoon rains serve as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Transitioning into adaptation strategies, communities focus on building resilience and sustainable development.
Through collective efforts, South India aims to mitigate the impact of future pre-monsoon rains. Transitioning into concluding remarks, stakeholders stress the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
read more
image source
