The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts in Kerala, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days. The latest forecast, issued on Wednesday (August 5) afternoon, indicates that the most intense rainfall is expected on Thursday (August 6) and Friday (August 7), while strong winds are also likely across parts of the state.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Kerala from Wednesday (August 5) to Sunday (August 9). Isolated places are likely to receive heavy rain from Wednesday (August 5) to Saturday (August 8), with very heavy rainfall expected at isolated locations on Thursday (August 6) and Friday (August 7).

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall refers to 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm of rain within 24 hours, while very heavy rainfall means 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm during the same period.

Orange alerts issued for multiple districts

The IMD has issued orange alerts for the following districts:

Wednesday (August 5): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Thursday (August 6): Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Friday (August 7): Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

An orange alert indicates the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places and calls for increased preparedness.

Yellow alerts remain in force across several districts

The IMD has also issued yellow alerts for the following districts:

Wednesday (August 5): Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

Thursday (August 6): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

Friday (August 7): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad.

Saturday (August 8): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

A yellow alert signifies the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

Strong winds and rough weather expected

The IMD has warned of strong winds across isolated parts of Kerala from Wednesday (August 5) to Saturday (August 8), with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph.

Along the Kerala-Lakshadweep coast, winds are expected to blow at 40-50 kmph, occasionally gusting up to 60 kmph, between Wednesday (August 5) and Saturday (August 8). Rough weather conditions are also likely along the coast during this period.

Multiple weather systems influencing Kerala

The prevailing weather has been linked to three cyclonic circulations affecting the region.

One cyclonic circulation is located over south Karnataka and adjoining areas. Another lies over south Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while a third has formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal at an altitude of around 4.5 km.

These systems are expected to support widespread rainfall activity across Kerala over the coming days.

School holidays to depend on local weather

The latest forecast has raised the possibility of school closures in districts experiencing heavy or very heavy rainfall.

However, any decision to declare a holiday for schools or colleges on Thursday (August 6) or the following days will depend on local weather conditions and will be taken by the respective district authorities.

District collectors or other competent authorities will issue official orders if holidays are declared. Students and parents have been advised to rely only on official announcements and notifications from educational institutions for updates on holidays or changes to academic schedules.