Thiruvananthapuram, August 13
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its rainfall forecast for Kerala, warning that rain is likely to intensify across several districts on Thursday and Friday.
Yellow alerts have been issued for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Thursday. On Friday, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur will remain under a yellow alert.
The alerted districts are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall, ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.
Residents of low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly in places that experienced flooding, waterlogging or landslides during previous spells of heavy rain. Local authorities have also been asked to monitor conditions and introduce precautionary measures wherever required.
The fresh spell of rain has been attributed to a weather system over eastern India. A low-pressure area that formed over West Bengal, Bangladesh and the northwestern Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area along the West Bengal coast.
The system is expected to move across Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places in Kerala over the next five days.
The IMD said isolated locations could experience heavy rain on Thursday and Friday. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are also possible in parts of the State.
However, no warning has been issued against fishing along the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts on Thursday. Fishermen may venture into the sea, but have been advised to closely follow weather updates and remain alert to sudden changes in local wind and sea conditions.
Authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel through landslide-prone areas and flooded roads during intense spells of rain.
