Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department has revised its rain forecast for Kerala and placed seven districts under yellow alert on Sunday. As per the revised alert, a yellow alert is sounded for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanmthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur. Rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is expected in these districts within 24 hours.

Earlier, Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad district were placed under yellow alert. However, no alert is sounded for these districts now.

IMD predicted that light to heavy rain is likely to lash Kerala under the influence of a cyclonic circulation formed over the Arabian Sea. According to the IMD, isolated rainfall accompanied by thunder and wind with speed reaching upto 30-40 kmph is expected in Kerala till October 16.

“Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty wind (speed reaching 30- 40 km) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala from 12th to 16th October 2025 and over Lakshadweep on 12th and 13th October 2025. Heavy rainfall (7cm to 11cm in 24 hours) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala from 12th to 18th October 2025,” reads the IMD alert.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon is expected to set in over Kerala this month.

The Met Department has restricted fishermen from venturing into the sea off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions. Fishing is also prohibited in Lakshadweep and its adjoining areas of the Kanyakumari region, as the IMD has forecast the possibility of winds reaching speeds up to 55 kmph.

Yellow alert in districts
October 12 – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanmthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur
October 13 – Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki
October  14 – Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
October 15 – Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki

IMD has advised the public to exercise caution in view of the chances for mudslides, landslides and rain-related accidents.

Probable Impacts due to the heavy to very heavy rainfall 

•  Visibility may become poor due to intense spell of rainfall leading to traffic congestion.
•  Temporary Disruption of traffic due to water logging in roads/ uprooting of trees/breaking of tree branches leading to increased travel time.
•  Uprooting of trees may cause damages to power sector.
•  Possibility of damages to vulnerable structures due to heavy to very heavy rainfall.
•  Partial Damages to Kutcha Houses and Huts due to uprooting of trees.
•  Possibilities of Flash floods due to intense spell of rainfall.
•  Water logging/flooding in many parts of low-lying areas.
•  Landslides/mud slide/land slip very likely.
•  Heavy rainfall may damage the standing crops and vegetables in the maturity stage.
•  Lightning may injure people and cattle at open place.
•  Dispersion of soil from the field and hence seed displacement and poor germination of seeds.

 Actions suggested 

•  Follow traffic advisories issued, if any.
•  Avoid staying in vulnerable structure.
•  Avoid going to the areas that face water logging problems/river fronts.
•  People in the vulnerable area are advised to move to safer places.
•  Propping of the vegetable pandals recommended.
•  Take shelter during thunderstorm/lightning activities.
•  Provide mulch at the base of the crop to prevent soil and root damage.
•  Avoid working in the fields during thunderstorm/lightning period and ensure proper mechanism to avoid runoff in case of rain.
•  Postpone sowing of seeds; if already sown, avoid water stagnation in the field and cover the seeded area with natural mulching materials like straw, farm residues etc. 
• Be Updated.