Two weather systems: Cyclone Montha, Arabian Sea depression to bring heavy rains to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to experience widespread rainfall in the coming days as two active weather systems, one over the Arabian Sea and another over the Bay of Bengal, interact and influence each other.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts on Tuesday, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Officials said the ongoing rainfall activity in the state is being driven by a low-pressure area that has persisted over the Arabian Sea since October 22, an unusually long duration for such a system to remain stationary.

Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted that Cyclone Montha, forming over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast by Tuesday evening.

Speaking to ANI, IMD Hyderabad official GNRS Srinivasa Rao said, "It is expected to cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday evening or night between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around the Kakinada area. Most districts in Andhra Pradesh will experience extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds."

"We have issued an orange alert in three districts, namely Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Mulugu. All remaining northeast districts are under yellow alert," he added.