KOCHI – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for 11 districts in Kerala on Monday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm within 24 hours. Only Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha have been placed under an orange alert.
Alongside the rainfall alert, the IMD reported squally weather along the Kerala coast, with wind speeds ranging from 35–45 km/h and gusts reaching up to 55 km/h. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) also issued a red alert for high waves in several coastal districts, including Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur. Waves between 3.3 to 4 meters are forecast for Monday. Thiruvananthapuram’s coast is under an orange alert for wave activity.
Authorities have advised against small vessel operations and recreational coastal activities, citing risks of wave surges and coastal erosion.
Heavy Rainfall Across the State
Numerous regions across Kerala recorded significant rainfall in the past 24 hours:
- Nilambur: 16 cm
- Vythiri: 15 cm
- Karipur airport, Kannur, Mannarkkad, Urumi, Chemberi, Kannur airport: 13 cm
- Kanjirapuzha: 12 cm
- Irikkur, Ayyankunnu: 11 cm
- Aluva, Quilandi: 10 cm
The IMD has forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the coming week. A depression over Madhya Maharashtra has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area and is expected to drift slowly eastward and gradually dissipate.
Additionally, a new low-pressure area may form over the west-central and adjoining northern Bay of Bengal around May 27, which could further impact the regional weather. Strong westerly winds at lower tropospheric levels are likely to persist over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region throughout the week.
On Monday, strong surface winds reaching speeds of 50–60 km/h are expected to sweep across Kerala intermittently.
Precautionary Measures and Closures
In response to the red alert:
- Educational institutions have been closed in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta.
- Quarrying activities have been suspended in Palakkad.
- Heavy vehicle traffic on the Attapady Churam road has been banned until Tuesday due to safety concerns.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to remain cautious and follow official advisories.
