Four districts in Kerala are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging from 7-11 cms to 12-20 cms in 24 hours, in the coming week, the Indian Meteorological Department has forecast. Idukki is expected to receive maximum rains with 7-11 cms of rainfall on 3,4,5,7 and 7 October.

Heavy rainfall is also predicted in Wayanad on four days - 3,4,5 and 6 October. In Kozhikode, heavy rains are expected on 5 and 6 October, and Kannur too is expected to receive heavy showers on 6 October.

According to reports, extremely heavy showers of 21 cm or above per day may also lash a few places in Kerala, particular on October 7.

In a press release put out last Sunday, the IMD said “a low pressure area is likely to form over South East Arabian Sea around October 6, 2018”.

“It is likely to intensify to only a depression and move Northwestwards during the subsequent 48 hours,” the release added.

The IMD has also predicted that the Northeast monsoon will arrive in Kerala after October 15. “Even if the Northeast monsoon is predicted after October 15, but the rains that have been experienced in various parts of the state are likely to continue until October 5,” an IMD official told TNM.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his Facebook post on Sunday had said that on account of the sea becoming rough because of the low pressure system, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has instructed fishermen to refrain from venturing into seas after October 6.”