The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a five-day forecast, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts of Kerala. Citizens have been advised to remain cautious as the state braces for isolated intense showers.

Orange alert in northern districts

On October 24 (Friday), the IMD issued an orange alert for Kannur and Kasaragod districts. The department warned of isolated very heavy rainfall, defined as 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours, accompanied by strong winds in some areas.

Yellow alerts across multiple districts

The IMD also announced yellow alerts in various districts:

  • October 24 (Friday): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
  • October 25 (Saturday): Kannur, Kasaragod
  • October 26 (Sunday): Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
  • October 27 (Monday): Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
  • October 28 (Tuesday): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam

The IMD described isolated heavy rainfall (ISOL H) as 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours, often accompanied by thunder and lightning.

What is driving the heavy rain?

The IMD reported that a depression is currently over the central-eastern Arabian Sea, likely moving north-eastward in the next 24 hours.

This system has merged with a cyclone over the central-eastern Arabian Sea and the Karnataka–northern Kerala coast, intensifying rainfall.

Meanwhile, another depression has formed over the Bengal Sea, potentially developing into a cyclone. A cyclonic circulation over southeastern Bengal Sea and southern Andaman Sea has strengthened into a depression, moving west-northwestward.

The IMD predicts that by October 25 (Saturday), the system will intensify over the southeastern and central Bengal Sea, and by October 26–27 (Sunday–Monday), it could develop into a cyclonic storm over southwestern and western central Bengal Sea areas.