Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meterological Department has revised its rain forecast for Kerala as most of the districts continued to witness heavy downpour on Friday. An orange alert is sounded for seven districts- Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts on Friday. All other districts are placed under a yellow alert. An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours. A yellow alert is issued when heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm is expected within 24 hours.

Orange alert in districts
July 25- Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur
July 26 – Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, 

Yellow alert in districts
July 25- Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
July 26 – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
July 27 – Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
July 28 - Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
July 29 – Kannur, Kasaragod

Widespread damage was reported in various parts of Kerala as heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, battered the state on Thursday night. Several areas in North Kerala plunged into darkness after uprooted trees snapped power lines.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Kerala will continue to experience heavy downpours till July 29 under the influence of Cyclone Wipha.

A holiday has been declared for all educational institutions in Idukki and Ernakulam districts on Friday. The Kottayam district collector has also announced a holiday for all educational institutions in three taluks — Kottayam, Kanjirappally, and Meenachil.

The Met Department has urged people to remain vigilant to avoid accidents during the adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain is expected in the southern districts of the state on Friday. A flood alert has been issued for several rivers, including Manimala and Pampa in Pathanamthitta, the Mogral in Kasaragod, and Pallikkal in Kollam. Residents living along riverbanks are advised to relocate if instructed by local authorities.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea off the Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep coasts until July 27. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has predicted the possibility of high tidal waves along the Kerala coast from Friday to Sunday.