Kerala Faces Heavy Rainfall, IMD Issues Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for three northern districts on Saturday. The districts of Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod have been placed under this heightened alert, while a yellow alert has been declared for nine other districts within the state.

The IMD forecasts thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall and gusty winds in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. Furthermore, the IMD has extended the orange alert to Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod from June 14 to June 16, signalling the likelihood of very heavy rainfall ranging between 11 cm and 20 cm. The yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. This inclement weather is attributed to the cyclonic circulations positioned over north Gujarat and the west central Bay of Bengal, which are expected to bring widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across Kerala over the next five days.

In light of these developments, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged residents to avoid standing or parking vehicles under trees, as strong winds may cause them to uproot or shed branches. Residents in thatched, sheeted, or otherwise insecure housing are advised to relocate to safer buildings following official guidance. Additionally, the IMD has advised fishermen to refrain from venturing into the seas surrounding Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep from June 13 to June 17, citing the potential for hazardous weather conditions and strong winds. This warning is echoed by the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), which has highlighted the risk of high waves and storm surges along the coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu until Sunday.

Given the current forecasts and alerts, it is crucial for residents and authorities alike to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions to mitigate the impact of the severe weather conditions.