Cyclone over Bay of Bengal triggers heavy rain; IMD issues red alert, Idukki dam water level rises

Ernakulam: Several parts of Kerala have been battered by intense rainfall, triggered by a cyclonic circulation positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the northern Tamil Nadu coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for multiple districts as the weather system continues to bring extreme heavy rainfall to the region.

Piravom in Ernakulam district recorded the highest rainfall in the state during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, with exceptionally heavy downpour. This was followed by Peechi in Thrissur, which received 13 cm of rain. Choondy in Ernakulam registered 8 cm, while Minicoy and Agathi in Lakshadweep, Kottayam, Vellanikkara in Thrissur, and Vadavathur in Kottayam each recorded 7 cm.

The water level in Idukki dam has risen to 2377ft causing concern for the people living nearby.

The prevailing weather is being influenced by an upper air cyclonic circulation and an east-west trough extending from the southern parts of the east-central Arabian Sea to the southern central Bay of Bengal, traversing interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This trough is enhancing the westerly and northwesterly winds over Kerala, further fuelling the rain activity.

In response, the IMD has issued a red alert for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram on Tuesday (5 August), warning of the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall in these districts over the next 24 hours. An orange alert has been issued for the rest of the state, except for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected.

Looking ahead to Wednesday, the IMD forecasts the brunt of the rainfall to shift towards north Kerala.

The intensity of the rainfall is expected to begin tapering off gradually after Wednesday, bringing some respite to the rain-hit regions. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories.