Kerala is currently grappling with intense monsoon rainfall, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red alerts for the districts of Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Friday. A red alert signals the likelihood of exceptionally heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm within a 24-hour period. Meanwhile, the remaining districts in the state remain under an orange alert, indicating continued significant rainfall.
As a precaution, district authorities have announced the closure of all educational institutions in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Schools in Kuttanad taluk have also been granted a holiday. In Idukki, the situation has become more critical as four dams were opened to manage rising water levels, highlighting the urgency of the weather crisis.
The coastal regions are not spared either. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has sounded a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Thrissur due to predictions of high waves ranging from 1.2 to 3.7 metres until Friday evening. An orange alert is in place for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Kannur. Coastal residents and fishermen have been strongly advised to stay away from beaches and halt all sea-bound activities to avoid accidents during rough sea conditions.
Adding to the concern, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued warnings as water levels in key rivers like the Manimala, Achankovil, Meenachil, Korapuzha, and Kabani are steadily rising. Residents near riverbanks are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for potential flooding. The continued downpour has also caused delays to train services, including the Jan Shatabdi Express, reflecting the broader impact of the severe weather.
