Red Alert for Kerala: Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Expected
Kerala is bracing for heavy rains and strong winds as the Southwest Monsoon intensifies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several districts, warning of widespread rainfall.
Red Alert Issued for Several Districts
On Sunday, the IMD issued a red alert for five districts in northern Kerala: Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram. These areas are expected to receive 7 to 20 cm of rainfall in the next 24 hours. An orange alert has been issued for the rest of the state.
The red alert will continue for 11 districts on Monday, including Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta. The remaining districts are under an orange alert.
Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Forecast
The IMD has forecast widespread rain or thundershowers across Kerala from May 24 to 27, with a heavy rainfall warning in place for the next seven days. Strong surface winds, reaching 40–50 kmph occasionally, are also expected over the state until May 25. Squally weather with wind speeds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, is expected along the coast today and tomorrow.
Kumarakom in Kottayam recorded a very heavy downpour of 12 cm in the last 24 hours. Kannur and Kasaragod, currently under red alert, are expected to see similar conditions. Thiruvananthapuram is likely to experience heavy rain and cloudy skies until May 25.
IMD Update on Monsoon Advance and Depression
The IMD has indicated that the Southwest Monsoon has now advanced into the remaining parts of the south Arabian Sea, parts of the west-central and east-central Arabian Sea, the entire Lakshadweep area, Kerala, Mahe, and some parts of coastal Karnataka.
Additionally, a well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Arabian Sea intensified into a depression early Saturday. The system is expected to cross the south Konkan coast between Ratnagiri and Dapoli by noon today.
The IMD has also indicated the possibility of another low-pressure area forming over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27.
