IMD issues orange alert for 9 districts, yellow for 3 today; Kasaragod declares holiday for all educational institutions

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for nine districts -- Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod -- on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kottayam are under yellow alert. In view of this, the district collector of Kasaragod has declared a holiday for educational institutions functioning on Sunday.

The holiday applies to all schools, colleges, professional colleges, Kendriya Vidyalayas, tuition centres, religious study centres, and special classes in the district. However, the previously scheduled examinations will be conducted as planned.

The IMD stated that monsoon activity is likely to intensify across India due to a low-pressure area expected to form over the Bay of Bengal by July 24. Owing to this system, Kerala is likely to receive extremely heavy rain over the next five days, with isolated places across the state expected to witness such spells between July 19 and 21.

Strong winds, with speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph, are also forecast in isolated areas from July 19 to 22 (Saturday to Tuesday).
An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours, while a yellow alert suggests the possibility of heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm.

Orange alert in districts
July 21 - Kannur, Kasaragod

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