Kerala: Extremely heavy rains forecast, red alert sounded in six districts

An orange alert indicates ‘be prepared’ and has been issued on July 17 for Idukki, Kottayam on July 18, for Ernakulam and Palakkad on July 19 and for Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on July 20.

Extremely heavy rains– over 204 mm rain in 24 hours have been forecast, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said.

The second spell of the South West Monsoon is starting Wednesday and there is a possibility of formation of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) sources told PTI.

“Since there are possibilities of flooding and landslides, people have been asked to be extremely cautious and take necessary precaution to keep themselves safe,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as strong winds from westerly direction and speed reaching 40-50 kmph is likely along and off the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts.

The South West Monsoon had made its footfall in Kerala on June 8, a week late, marking the official commencement of the
four-month rainfall season in the country. There has been a 46 per cent deficiency of rainfall till July 15.