IMD warns of heavy rains and winds up to 50 kmph in Kerala; yellow alerts issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday (May 20) issued a five-day weather forecast for Kerala, warning of isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across parts of the state over the coming days.

The weather department also said the south-west monsoon is likely to reach Kerala around May 26, with a possible variation of up to four days earlier or later. 

Trough system active over region

The IMD said a trough is positioned between 3.1 km and 4.5 km above sea level, extending from the south-east Arabian Sea across Lakshadweep, north Kerala, the southern interior regions of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, up to the central Bay of Bengal.

According to the department, weather conditions linked to this system are expected to influence rainfall activity over the region.

Yellow alerts issued in several districts

The IMD has issued yellow alerts for Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod on Wednesday (May 20).

For Thursday (May 21), yellow alerts have been declared for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.

A yellow alert indicates the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall. The IMD defines heavy rainfall as precipitation between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm within a 24-hour period.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected

The IMD said isolated places could witness heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds with speeds ranging between 40 kmph and 50 kmph on May 20 and May 21.

The department also said Kerala and Mahe are likely to receive isolated rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds over the next five days.