IMD issues orange alert in five Kerala districts as heavy rain forecast
Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in five districts of Kerala for Saturday, warning of isolated very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. Nine other districts are under a yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall.
Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur are under the orange alert, according to the IMD’s latest update. The yellow alert covers Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kasaragod.
The IMD classifies very heavy rainfall as precipitation between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours. Heavy rainfall refers to precipitation between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm over the same period.
In view of the forecast, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged residents in landslide-prone areas and locations vulnerable to flash floods to move to safer places as directed by the authorities.
People living along riverbanks and downstream of dams have also been advised to remain cautious and relocate if instructed by officials. Residents in vulnerable areas should identify nearby relief camps and, in coordination with local self-government and revenue officials, move to them during daylight hours.
The KSDMA has cautioned people against crossing rivers, entering water bodies for bathing or fishing, and undertaking non-essential travel during heavy rainfall. Tourist visits to waterfalls, water bodies and hilly areas should be avoided until the alerts are withdrawn.
Motorists have been advised to exercise caution on roads near water bodies and avoid driving through flooded stretches. The authority has also warned of possible accidents caused by trees, electric poles, signboards and walls collapsing amid strong winds.
District- and taluk-level control rooms are functioning round the clock to provide assistance. The public can contact the toll-free helpline numbers 1077 and 1070, the KSDMA said.
The weather alerts may be revised depending on changes in the IMD’s forecast.