IMD revises rain forecast for Kerala, orange alert in 9 districts on Sunday

Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department has revised the rain forecast for Kerala and withdrawn the red alert issued for Kannur and Kasaragod on Sunday. After withdrawing the red alert, IMD has placed nine districts - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod under an orange alert on Sunday.

According to the IMD, the monsoon activity will intensify in various parts of India as a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by July 24. According to the India Meteorological Department, extremely heavy rain will lash Kerala for the next five days due to the anticipated low-pressure area.As per the forecast, extremely heavy rain will hit isolated places across the state on July 19 to 21.

Strong winds with speeds reaching up to 40-50 kmph are also expected in isolated places across the state from July 19 to July 22 (Saturday to Tuesday). The Met department has sounded a red alert for five districts- Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Saturday. A red alert indicates extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours. It is used to alert people that they should take immediate action to relocate to safe areas. At the same time, an orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall exceeding 115.6 mm and up to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert suggests the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 1144.5 mm within 24 hours. Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad are placed under orange alert on Saturday, and a yellow alert is sounded for the other five districts.

Orange alert in districts
July 20 - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
July 21 - Kannur, Kasaragod

Yellow alert in districts
July 20 - Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam
July 21 - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malapuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
July 22, 23 - Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malapuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod

INCOIS sounds high wave alert
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has sounded a high wave alert along the coasts of Kerala on July 20. As per the alert, high tidal wave attacks are expected in Kappil to Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappad to Edava in Kollam, Chellanam to Azheekal in Alappuzha and Kunjathur to Kottakunnu coasts in Kannur and Kasaragod districts till 5.30 pm. Fisherfolk are restricted from venturing into sea off Kerala coasts till July 22 due to the adverse weather conditions. INCOIS has issued a public advisory urging people to exercise extreme caution during tidal wave attacks. Coastal residents are advised to move to safe locations as directed by the local authorities. Beach-based tourism activities are also restricted until INCOIS withdraws the warning.