The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kerala over the next seven days, issuing alerts across several districts. An orange alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert for Kozhikode and Wayanad on Wednesday.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely at isolated places until Thursday, with strong westerly winds expected to persist over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region throughout the week.
The IMD has cautioned the public about the possibility of traffic congestion, waterlogging, uprooted trees, lightning, and even landslides in areas experiencing intense rainfall.
A cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast around May 21. Under the influence, a low-pressure area may develop in the region by May 22, which could move northward and intensify. As a precaution, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until May 24.
While northern districts bore the brunt of heavy rainfall on Tuesday, the IMD said rainfall is expected to spread more evenly across the state by Friday.
For Friday, orange alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Idukki, and yellow alert for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad.
On Tuesday, heavy rains lashed northern Kerala, prompting a red alert in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
However, the IMD expects rainfall intensity in these areas to decrease on Wednesday. Kunnamkulam recorded extremely heavy rainfall of 22cm, followed by Kannur (18cm), Thalassery (17cm), Irinjalakuda and Enamakkal (16cm), Munakkal (15cm), and Ponnani (12cm).
Monsoon onset expected soon
In a special bulletin issued on Tuesday, the IMD stated that conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala within the next 4-5 days. The onset is currently projected for around May 27, with a possible variation of 4 days. If the onset occurs by then or earlier, it will mark the earliest monsoon arrival in 15 years, the last being on May 23, 2009. The IMD had earlier announced the monsoon’s arrival over the Andaman Islands on May 13, 10 days ahead of schedule.
Rain watch
Orange Alert
Wednesday: Kannur, Kasaragod
Friday: P’Thitta, Ernakulam, Idukki
Yellow Alert: Wednesday: Kozhikode, Wayanad
Thursday: Kannur, Kasaragod