Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 21 -- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has directed authorities to assess the prevailing heavy rain situation in the state on an hourly basis and take immediate precautionary measures, including evacuation wherever necessary.

Following the directive, Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari IAS convened a meeting with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam to review the rain situation and preparedness measures in the two districts.

SMS alerts on the prevailing weather conditions have been issued in Idukki and Kottayam, while the District Collectors have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary measures, including evacuating people from vulnerable areas wherev...