IMD issues orange alert for six Kerala districts today

KOCHI: The IMD has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall of 11.5-20cm in 24 hours for six districts, including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki on Sunday. All other districts, except Palakkad, are on yellow alert for 7-11cm.
Earlier, on Saturday, a red alert was sounded for Ernakulam and Idukki districts. The orange alert will continue for Monday for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.
"This is because of the strong westerly wind flow from the Arabian Sea to south peninsular India. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50kmph is likely to prevail over the Kerala coast, and fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea till May 16," said K Santhosh, director, IMD Thiruvananthapuram.
Following the heavy rainfall indications, IMD issued impact-based warnings for the districts. It stated that waterlogging or flooding is likely in many parts of low lying areas and river banks. Waterlogging on major roads will lead to traffic congestion. People have been warned to stay off the sea areas till May 17. District administrations have been asked to be on alert. People living in low lying areas, on the banks of rivers and in hilly regions have been warned to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into the southeast Bay of Bengal during the next 48 hours. The IMD had indicated that Kerala's onset of the Indian summer monsoon could be on May 27 with an error of four days.
According to the 24-hour rainfall recorded on Saturday morning, Kochi Naval airport and Palluruthy recorded the highest 7cm rainfall each. Kozhikode and Enamakkal received 6cm of rainfall each. Ernakulam South and Poonjar got 5cm each while Karipur airport, Vaikkom and Taliparamba received 4cm each. Maximum temperature rose in Kottayam district, which recorded the highest maximum temperature of 34°C in the state.