Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated thunderstorms in Kerala from Monday, November 22 to Thursday, November 25. According to the department, people should exercise caution between 2pm and 10pm on these days as there are high chances for occurrence of lightning and thunder.
A media release from IMD said that a depression that appeared in the Arabian Sea had now turned into a deep depression. A cyclonic storm that formed following the depression was present over Karnataka and nearby regions. In addition, a low pressure area exists from the middle-eastern part of the Arabian Sea to the Maharashtra coast.
Based on the IMD warning, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts have been placed under yellow alert on Monday.
Yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki districts for November 23 and 24. These districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall ranging between 64.5 millimetre and 115.5 millimetre on these days.
Those in hilly regions have been asked to maintain orange alert-like caution on these two days.
The rain is likely to weaken in south-central districts, but northern districts may receive isolated heavy rains. IMD has not issued any specific advisory for fishermen venturing out to the sea off the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts.
Yellow alert has been issued for the following districts in the coming days:
Nov 22: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.
Nov 23: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.
Nov 24: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.
A Red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while Orange alert denotes very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm of rains. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.
Considering the weather conditions, IMD authorities have issued the following instructions to people:
• Shift to a safe location
As soon as the first signs of a thunderstorm are visible, shift to the interiors of a building as there are high chances for a lightning strike in open space. In case you are stranded in an open area, crouch like a ball on the ground keeping both feet together and resting your head above the knees.
• Shut doors, windows
When inside a building, shut all doors and windows. Also avoid standing near doors and windows. Similarly, do not sit on the floor or touch the floor or walls.
• Switch off electrical items
Another safety measure is disconnecting all electrical items, including domestic appliances. Moreover, stay away from them during the thunderstorm.
• Keep off phone
Do not use a landline phone when there is lightning. However, a mobile phone is not dangerous.
• Stay in vehicle
If you are in a closed vehicle like car when the thunderstorm begins, continue there. But, do not put your hands or feet outside. Meanwhile, avoid travelling in a bicycle, bike, scooter or tractor. Also, do not park your vehicle under a tree.
• Avoid playing in the evening
Children should be advised not to play in open places and on the rooftops if the sky is overcast between 2 pm and 10 pm. Kite-flying too is another fun activity to be shunned. Similarly, never stand under a tree during a thundershower.
• Clothes, taps
When there is lightning, desist from taking washed clothes spread out to dry on the terrace or premises of the house. Bathing and collecting water from taps also have to be avoided as lightning could pass through taps.
• Fix unstable items
In order to increase your safety, fix items that could collapse in strong winds before a thunderstorm strikes.
• Fishing and bathing
Yet another warning issued by the Meteorological Department relates to fishing and bathing in water bodies. It has said that these activities have to be avoided at all cost during a thundershower.
• Pets
Domestic animals should not be tied in open areas when there are chances for lightning. In case a thunderstorm starts before you could shift the animals from an exposed place, avoid doing it when there is lightning.