Heavy rainfall to continue in Kerala; red alert for four districts on Thursday

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain in the coming days, triggered by a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

According to a bulletin issued by the IMD, the low pressure area over northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast has become well-marked over the same region. 

It is likely to move northwards and concentrate into a depression over the north Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours. Further, strong westerlies prevailing over the Kerala and Lakshadweep region are likely to continue at lower tropospheric levels during the next seven days.

Under the influence of these systems, heavy rainfall (7 cm to 11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (12 cm to 20 cm) and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (above 20 cm) are likely over Kerala till May 30.

A red alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Thursday, warning of extreme heavy rainfall, and an orange alert for the remaining districts, warning of very heavy rainfall.

In the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, Lower Sholayar in Thrissur recorded the highest rainfall of 12 cm, Vythiri in Wayanad 11 cm, Munnar in Idukki, Parambikulam in Palakkad, Angadipuram in Malappuram, and Vadakara in Kozhikode 10 cm each.

The IMD has forecast an above normal season for the State this year with the agency predicting around 108% rainfall during this four-month season. The forecast also suggests surplus rain in most parts of the State in June as well. The average annual rainfall of Kerala is 2,018.6 mm during the season.

Published - May 28, 2025 08:51 pm IST