Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an orange alert for seven districts of Kerala, warning of isolated very heavy rainfall (115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours) as persistent rains affected multiple parts of the state, official reports said.
Districts under alert and expected rainfall
The IMD placed Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on orange alert on Monday evening. A yellow alert was issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad and Kasaragod, where isolated heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours is expected.
| Alert level | Districts | Rainfall range (24 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur | 115.6 mm – 204.4 mm |
| Yellow | Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad, Kasaragod | 64.5 mm – 115.5 mm |
Outlook for the coming days
For Tuesday, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. On Wednesday, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam will remain under yellow alert. The multi-day advisory indicates continuing instability that could prolong impacts in vulnerable zones.
Hazards and safety advice
The advisory cautions that strong winds accompanying the rains may uproot or damage trees, electricity poles and other structures. Authorities urged people residing in landslide-, mudslide- and flash-flood-prone locations to move to safer sites as directed by officials. The IMD also recommended avoiding unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and refraining from visits to waterfalls, water bodies and hilly areas until the warnings are withdrawn.
- Move early: Residents in vulnerable slopes and low-lying tracts should follow local administration evacuation instructions without delay.
- Avoid travel: Postpone non-essential journeys, particularly on exposed highways and through waterlogged stretches.
- Electrical safety: Stay away from fallen wires; report to utility services and local authorities promptly.
- Stay informed: Monitor updates from the IMD and district disaster management officials for changes in alert levels and local advisories.
Potential consequences
Very heavy localised downpours can trigger flash floods and landslides in the state’s midland and highland terrain. Damage to roads, bridges and power infrastructure is possible where winds are strong. Waterlogging and disruption to road and rail services could affect relief movement and essential supplies if the rainfall persists. The staged alerts issued for successive days reflect the likelihood of recurring heavy spells rather than a single isolated event.
State disaster management agencies and district administrations are expected to keep rescue and relief contingencies on alert, maintain river and reservoir monitoring and pre-position equipment in areas historically prone to floods and landslides. Citizens are advised to comply with directions from revenue and disaster management officials and to report emergencies to local control rooms.
The IMD's colour-coded system defines an orange warning as a message for people to be prepared and be ready to take action, while a yellow warning indicates potential for disruptive weather and the need to be aware of developing conditions. Residents should treat the current alerts seriously and adopt precautions to reduce personal risk until the advisories are lifted.
This report is based on IMD advisories and official district-level alerts released on Aug 24.
