Thiruvananthapuram, July 29 (H.S.):
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Kerala over the next few days under the influence of an extremely severe low-pressure system, with heavy showers expected to continue until Saturday. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as several districts are likely to witness intense rain accompanied by strong winds and rough sea conditions.
As a precaution, the IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for seven districts on Wednesday—Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The weather department has also extended alerts for the following days, indicating that heavy rain is likely to affect different parts of the State through the weekend.
On Thursday, Yellow Alerts will be in force for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. On Friday, the alert has been expanded to include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. On Saturday, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod are expected to remain under Yellow Alert.
According to the IMD, heavy rainfall refers to precipitation between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm within a 24-hour period. The weather system responsible for the current spell of rain is centred over north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal and is expected to move west-northwestwards over north Odisha, southern Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours, influencing weather conditions over Kerala.
The IMD has also warned of gusty winds across the State. Wind speeds of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated places until Thursday, increasing to 40-50 kmph from July 30 to August 1.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a Kallakkadal sea incursion warning. High waves of 1.0 to 1.3 metres are expected along coastal stretches in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha, raising the possibility of coastal inundation. Residents in vulnerable coastal areas and fishermen have been advised to exercise caution and strictly follow official advisories.
