Heavy rain alert: IMD warns of severe monsoon conditions as heavy rain grips southern India

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh rain alerts for Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms as multiple weather systems remain active across southern India.

The southwest monsoon continues to bring intense rainfall across southern India, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue fresh weather warnings for Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected to continue over the coming days.

Kerala on orange and yellow alert

The IMD has issued orange alerts for 11 districts in Kerala, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours. Existing orange alerts have also been extended as persistent rainfall continues across the state.

The districts under orange alert are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Meanwhile, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram remain under a yellow alert, signalling heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in a 24-hour period.

The IMD and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have warned that the continuing rain could trigger flooding, waterlogging, landslides and damage to infrastructure. Emergency response systems have been activated, and residents have been advised to avoid flooded roads and stay away from rivers, lakes and other water bodies.

Telangana braces for heavy rain and strong winds

In Telangana, the combined influence of the active southwest monsoon, a low-pressure area, a trough and an upper-air cyclonic circulation is expected to bring widespread rainfall over the next several days.

Weather experts have warned that strong winds of 50 to 60 km/h could affect many parts of the state, particularly between July 2 and July 5. Hyderabad is also expected to experience cloudy skies, evening showers accompanied by thunder and lightning, and gusty winds.

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in districts including Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam on June 30. On July 1, heavy rain is expected in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Hanamkonda.

Authorities have warned that strong winds could damage trees, electricity poles, hoardings and other structures, and have advised people to remain indoors during severe weather.

Andhra Pradesh also under rain warning

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is also expected to receive widespread rainfall as the same weather systems influence the region.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), North Andhra, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna and NTR districts are likely to receive scattered showers, with heavy rain expected in some places.

Other districts may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Residents have been advised to seek shelter during storms and avoid standing near trees, electricity poles and open water bodies due to the risk of lightning strikes.

Authorities urge caution

With heavy rain forecast to continue across all three states, disaster management authorities have urged residents to monitor official weather updates, avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone areas and keep emergency supplies ready in case of power outages or disruptions.

The IMD has said that the active monsoon conditions are likely to persist into early July, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides and transport disruptions in several parts of southern India.