The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday revised its weather forecast, downgrading the red alert in several districts to orange. Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad are now under an orange alert, while the remaining districts are under a yellow alert.

For Thursday, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Malappuram, and Kozhikode.

According to the IMD, a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea persisted on Tuesday morning and is likely to move slowly westwards, intensifying into a depression within the next 24 hours. Another low-pressure system has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, which is expected to move towards the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts and intensify further.

Under the influence of these systems, Kerala is likely to experience widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy showers till October 24. Extremely heavy rain (over 20 cm in 24 hours) is expected at one or two places on October 22. Lakshadweep is also likely to receive heavy rainfall today. 

Alerts
Districts under orange alert:
October 22: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. 

Districts under yellow alert:
October 22: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kannur and Kasaragod
October 23: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam

Holiday for educational institutions
In view of heavy rain and strong winds, the district administrations of Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Malappuram, and Palakkad have declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, on Wednesday. In Idukki, authorities have suspended all water-based and adventure tourism activities, restricted night travel, and imposed a temporary ban on mining and soil excavation, except for disaster management purposes.

Probable impacts due to heavy rain
The weather agency has warned that the heavy to extremely heavy rainfall may cause several disruptions and damage across affected areas. Poor visibility due to intense rain could lead to traffic congestion and temporary disruption of movement owing to waterlogging, fallen trees, or broken branches, resulting in longer travel times.

Uprooted trees may damage power lines and vulnerable structures, while kutcha houses and huts face the risk of partial damage. There is also a likelihood of flash floods, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and landslides or mudslides in hilly regions. Surface and helicopter services may be regulated, and small ships and country boats could be affected by strong winds and heavy rain. Standing crops and vegetables in the maturity stage may suffer damage, while lightning poses a threat to people and cattle in open areas.

Authorities have advised the public to follow traffic advisories and avoid vulnerable areas prone to flooding or structural instability. Residents in risk-prone zones are urged to move to safer locations. Farmers are advised to prop up vegetable pandals, provide mulch at the base of crops, and avoid fieldwork during thunderstorms. Sowing should be postponed, and already seeded areas should be protected from water stagnation using natural mulching materials like straw or farm residues. People are also encouraged to stay updated with official weather alerts and take necessary precautions.