Rain disrupts normal life in Kerala

Men watch sea waves crash onto the shore amid rough weather conditions following a sea storm, in Kochi, on June 16, 2025. The storm, the most intense of the season so far, caused heavy flooding in several areas, submerging roads and vehicles. | Photo Credit: PTI

After a few days of intense spells, the southwest monsoon is set to slip into another short lull phase.

According to a weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday (June 16), the intensity of rain will start weakening from Wednesday.

However, the reinvigorated southwest monsoon spells fuelled by the strong westerlies that had been lashing the State for the past few days, disrupted normal life in many parts of the State on Monday, especially in central and north Kerala. Thennala in Malappuram recorded extreme rainfall of 21 cm in just 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday. This was followed by Vadakara in Kozhikode, which recorded 18 cm of rain, followed by Bayar in Kasaragod (16 cm), and Vythiri in Wayanad, Taliparamba in Kannur, Hosdurg, Kudulu, and Muliyar in Kasaragod with 15 cm each.

Amid rising water levels in various rivers across the State, the Irrigation department and Central Water Commission (CWC) have issued orange and yellow alerts for various rivers, advising people living on their banks to remain cautious. Orange alert has been issued for rivers such as Uppala (Uppala Station), Nileshwaram (Chaiyom River Station), and Mogral (Madhur Station) in Kasaragod, and Manimala (Thondara Station) in Pathanamthitta.

Apart from heavy rains, gusty wind also prevailed over the State with Idukki recording a speed of 80 kmph in the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, followed by Kottayam 61 kmph, Wayanad 61 kmph, Kasaragod 60 kmph, and Thiruvananthapuram 57 kmph. The wind also left a trail of destruction across the State. The train services that were disrupted between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night were fully restored by Monday morning.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Kannur and Kasaragod on Tuesday, warning of very heavy rain, and a yellow alert forecasting isolated heavy rains in the remaining districts except for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam.

Published - June 16, 2025 09:22 pm IST