Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall over the coming week, ahead of the southwest monsoon's arrival. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a red alert for four districts as intense rain lashed various parts of the state.

According to the latest IMD update, a red alert has been issued for Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. An orange alert is in place for Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram and a yellow alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.

Isolated places in Kerala are very likely to receive heavy (7–11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12–20 cm in 24 hours) rainfall on May 20, 23, and 24. They are also expected to receive heavy rainfall on May 21, 22, and 25.
The IMD has already forecast that the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Kerala by May 23, ahead of the usual onset date of June 1.

Alerts

• May 21: Orange- Kannur, Kasaragod; Yellow- Kozhikode, Wayanad
• May 22: Yellow- Kannur, Kasaragod
• May 23: Orange- Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki; Yellow- Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
• May 24: Orange- Kozhikode, Wayanad, Yellow- Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm of rain. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 and 11 cm.