Heavy rain alerts persist as active monsoon lashes Kerala
IMD issues orange alert for heavy Kerala rainfall
Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon continued to remain active across Kerala on Monday, June 8, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to maintain orange and yellow weather alerts in several districts amid forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
According to officials, widespread rain activity is expected to continue across the state over the next few days, with authorities urging residents to remain cautious, especially in vulnerable regions prone to flooding, landslides and mudslides.
An orange alert signifies the likelihood of isolated very heavy rainfall ranging between 11 cm and 20 cm within a 24-hour period. Authorities said these districts could witness intense rain spells that may lead to waterlogging, traffic disruptions and localized flooding.
Meanwhile, yellow alerts have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad districts. A yellow alert indicates the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm and serves as a warning for residents and local administrations to stay prepared.
The weather department has also released its forecast for Tuesday, indicating that the rain activity is likely to intensify in northern parts of the state. Orange alerts have been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, while Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts will remain under yellow alert.
Apart from heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected along the Kerala coast. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea due to the likelihood of squally weather conditions. Wind speeds are expected to reach 40-50 kmph and may gust up to 60 kmph in some areas.
Fishermen already at sea have been advised to return to shore at the earliest and closely follow updates issued by weather and disaster management agencies.
For Monday, the IMD also issued a three-hour orange alert specifically for Thiruvananthapuram district. The warning highlighted the possibility of isolated moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds with speeds reaching up to 50 kmph.
In view of the continuing adverse weather conditions, several tourist destinations across Kerala have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. Local administrations have restricted access to waterfalls, trekking routes, hill stations and other vulnerable tourist locations where heavy rain could increase the risk of accidents and landslides.
District authorities have urged residents living in landslide-prone and flood-prone areas to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions whenever issued. Special attention is being given to regions that have experienced weather-related disasters in previous monsoon seasons.
People residing near riverbanks, low-lying areas and downstream regions of dams have also been advised to exercise caution. Rising water levels in rivers and reservoirs could increase the risk of flooding if rainfall intensifies further.
Officials have emphasized the need for preparedness among residents living in poorly built or vulnerable houses. Strong winds accompanying thunderstorms may cause damage to weak structures, trees and electric lines. Households have been urged to secure loose objects and stay indoors during severe weather conditions.
Authorities have also appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall. Motorists have been advised to exercise caution while driving through waterlogged roads and hilly regions where visibility may be reduced and landslides may occur.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said emergency response systems remain fully operational across the state. Taluk-level and district-level control rooms are functioning round the clock to monitor developments and coordinate rescue and relief operations if required.
Residents requiring emergency assistance can contact disaster management authorities through the toll-free helpline numbers 1077 and 1070. Officials said all relevant departments remain on high alert as Kerala continues to experience active monsoon conditions, with further rainfall expected in the coming days.