Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to continue receiving heavy rainfall till Sunday, according to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

An orange alert has been sounded in four northern districts on Saturday, while a yellow alert is in place in five. 

Alerts

• Sept 27: Orange (12- 20 cm in 24 hours)- Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod; Yellow: Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram
• Sept 28: Yellow (7- 11 cm in 24 hours): Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod

The weather conditions are linked to a depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, which has been moving westwards at a speed of about 10 kmph. As of 11.30 pm on Friday, September 26, the system was centred close to the south Odisha coast, around 180 km northeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The depression is likely to continue moving westwards and cross the south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coasts, between Puri and Kalingapatnam, by early Saturday morning, September 27.

Under its influence, Kerala is expected to receive widespread rainfall till Sunday. The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places in Kerala and Lakshadweep on Saturday. Strong surface winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala and Lakshadweep till Sunday.

Authorities cautioned that heavy to very heavy rainfall could lead to reduced visibility, traffic disruption, flash floods, waterlogging and landslips. People have been advised to avoid waterlogged areas, stay away from vulnerable structures and, if necessary, move to safer locations.