Ernakulam steps up emergency measures after red alert

Rainclouds gather over the Thoppumpady fishing harbour in Kochi on Tuesday morning. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU The district administration has stepped up emergency preparedness in the wake of the India Meteorological department issuing a red alert for Ernakulam amid incessant rain and strong winds.Officials have been instructed to intensify precautionary measures in vulnerable areas, mainly the eastern regions where the flood threat has persisted for some time.An emergency meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), chaired by District Collector G. Priyanka, reviewed the rain situation and instructed tahsildars and village officers to remain on high alert as heavy rainfall continued in neighbouring Idukki district and the hilly regions of Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam.As m