Army, Air Force move in to help as heavy rains lash Kerala

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Heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala on Saturday with five districts put on red alert reflecting a very dangerous situation due to floods. Another seven districts are on orange alert where heavy rain is expected. </p>
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On the state government's request, the Army and Air Force have moved in to help in the flood-hit areas. Helicopters are on standby and all bases under Southern Air Command are on high alert. The Army has deployed its personnel in the flood-affected areas.</p>
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Visuals on social media showed buses and cars stranded on roads that have turned into rivers.</p>
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Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur are the districts that have been put on red alert. In seven districts of the state –</p>
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Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad – the weather office has sounded an "orange alert", which signifies "heavy to very heavy rain".</p>
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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the India Meteorological Department has warned of widespread heavy rains in the state due to the Low Pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea.</p>
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The water level in some rivers is expected to rise and certain dams are likely to overflow, he said adding that those living in its catchment areas should be ready to follow the instructions of authorities.</p>