Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rain lashed parts of Kerala on Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an ‘orange alert’ in four districts during the afternoon. The alert covered Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki and Malappuram for three hours from 2.30 pm.

Thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph were forecast in parts of these districts. An ‘orange alert’ indicates very heavy rainfall ranging from 11 cm to 20 cm.

Winds, lightning likely till May 3

Earlier this week, the IMD had forecast rain accompanied by lightning and winds of 40–50 kmph across parts of the state until May 3 (Sunday). The warning pointed to unsettled weather conditions continuing over several regions through the weekend.

High UV levels recorded in parts of Kerala

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) reported high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation until 1 pm on Saturday. According to KSDMA data, UV levels above eight — which warrant an orange alert — were recorded in Konni in Pathanamthitta and Munnar in Idukki.

UV levels between six and seven, corresponding to a yellow alert, were recorded at nine locations across the state.

Five-day forecast: yellow alerts across districts

The IMD, in its latest bulletin, issued a five-day rainfall outlook with yellow alerts in multiple districts.

May 2 (Saturday): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram

May 3 (Sunday): Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki

May 4 (Monday): Idukki, Palakkad

May 5 (Tuesday): Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Wayanad

May 6 (Wednesday): Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Wayanad

A yellow alert indicates the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall. Heavy rain refers to rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm within 24 hours.