The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of alerts across Kerala as pre-monsoon conditions intensify under the influence of multiple weather systems developing over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The southwest monsoon is expected to officially arrive in the state on Friday, May 23.
A low-pressure area has formed over the Eastcentral Arabian Sea off the south Konkan-Goa coast, the IMD said in a press release issued on Thursday. This system is expected to move northwards and intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours.
Another weather system is also developing over the westcentral and adjoining North Bay of Bengal, with a second low-pressure area likely to form around May 27, becoming more intense in the days following.
As a result, strong westerly and northwesterly winds are expected to persist at lower atmospheric levels over Kerala and Lakshadweep for the next seven days. This will bring isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall to various districts, especially from May 24 to May 28, IMD said.
On May 23 and 24, the districts of Kozhikode and Idukki are likely to experience windy weather at a rate of 40 kmph, moderate rainfall along with lightning and thunder, IMD said. Coastal regions have been given special warning by the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). It has been predicted to experience heavy sea waves and rough sea phenomenon (Kallakkadal). There is a possibility of sea incursion in Ernakulam, high waves ranging up to 3.2 km in Kozhikode and Kannur, INCOIS said.
Fisherfolk and coastal residents have been advised to remain alert and avoid venturing into the sea during this period.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert (7 cm - 11 cm rainfall) for the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod on Friday, May 23.
Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad have received a yellow alert while an orange alert (12- 20 cm rainfall) has been issued for Kasargode and Kannur for May 24.
For May 25, a yellow alert has been issued for the districts of Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, while an orange alert has been issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragode.
A yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki whereas an orange alert has been issued for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur & Kasaragode on May 26.
With the official onset of monsoon expected tomorrow, state authorities are on high alert. Disaster response units have been instructed to stay ready, and district administrations are coordinating with the IMD and INCOIS to update local advisories and ensure community preparedness.