Kerala rain alert: Three districts are facing the possibility of very heavy rain on Thursday, October 1, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki.

The warning comes with a forecast of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain in 24 hours at isolated places, along with thunderstorms.

Six other districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad — are under yellow alert, indicating the possibility of isolated heavy rain between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm.

But the weather picture changes after Thursday. No orange or yellow alert has been listed for October 2 in the forecast provided here. Yellow alerts return on October 4 for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam, and on October 5 for Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Malappuram.

That means the October 2 weather situation could be particularly relevant for people making travel or holiday plans, but the absence of an alert should not be treated as a guarantee of dry weather.

The IMD can revise its warnings as conditions change.

What Kerala residents need to know now

The immediate concern is not just rainfall. In Thiruvananthapuram, the latest radar-based warning indicates moderate to heavy rain and winds of up to 50 kmph over the next three hours.

People in landslide- and flood-prone areas should remain alert, particularly those living near rivers, below dams or in hilly areas. Unnecessary travel should be avoided when rain intensifies, while rivers, waterfalls and other water bodies should be kept off-limits during heavy rainfall.

The weather warning also does not itself confirm a school holiday for October 4 and 5. The information provided contains no school-closure announcement. October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, so schools and many institutions will remain closed. 

With the IMD warning subject to change, residents should check the latest updates before travelling, especially in areas already under an alert.