Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) have issued critical weather warnings for Kerala, including a Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall and a ‘Kallakkadal’ (swell wave) warning for parts of the state's coastline. The alerts are in effect over the next five days, with potential risks of flash floods, landslides and coastal erosion.

Red alert for three districts

The IMD has issued a red alert for the following districts on August 5 2025:

  • Ernakulam
  • Idukki
  • Thrissur

Red alert indicates the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm in 24 hours, posing a major threat to life and property due to the possibility of landslides, urban flooding and river overflow.

Orange alerts across multiple districts

The IMD has also issued orange alerts—signifying very heavy rainfall (115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours)—for various districts on different days:

  • August 4: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur
  • August 5: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad and Malappuram
  • August 6: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Note: Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod may receive rainfall of Red Alert intensity despite Orange Alert classification)
  • August 7: Kannur and Kasaragod

Yellow alerts for isolated heavy rainfall

The IMD has issued yellow alerts for the following districts, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm in 24 hours:

  • August 4: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod
  • August 5: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasarago
  • August 6: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam
  • August 7: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
  • August 8: Kannur and Kasaragod

Kallakkadal warning: Swell waves and coastal inundation risk

INCOIS has issued a Kallakkadal warning due to high waves ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 metres, expected until 8:30 PM on 4 August 2025. The affected regions include:

  • Thiruvananthapuram (Kappil to Pozhiyoor)
  • Kollam (Alappad to Idava)
  • Alappuzha (Chellanam to Azheekkal Jetty)

There is a high risk of coastal erosion and flooding in these areas.

Public safety advisory

Authorities warn that the combination of extremely heavy rainfall and high coastal activity may lead to:

  • Flash floods
  • Landslides
  • Lightning floods
  • Waterlogging in low-lying urban areas
  • Coastal flooding and property damage