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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Kerala on high alert as extremely heavy rainfall is expected to batter parts of the state on Tuesday. A red warning has been issued for Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts, where rainfall exceeding 20 cm is likely. Five other districts — Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad, and Malappuram — have been put on orange warning, while the rest of the state remains under a yellow warning.
According to the IMD's warning system, a red warning denotes rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, an orange warning indicates 11-20 cm of rainfall, and a yellow warning signals heavy rainfall ranging from 6-11 cm.
The IMD warned that the current spell of intense rainfall is likely to continue over the next four days, driven by strong westerly winds and multiple weather systems influencing the region. A cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal, along with a north-south trough extending from north interior Karnataka to the southern tip of Kerala, has triggered a convergence zone over peninsular India.
The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 km/h, gusting up to 60 km/h, particularly along the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep region. Fishermen have been strictly advised against venturing into the sea until Thursday.
Rainfall over the past 24 hours has already been significant in several areas. Thodupuzha in Idukki recorded the highest at 13 cm, followed by Athirappilly in Thrissur with 12 cm, Kanjirappally (10 cm), Udumbannoor (9 cm), Mangalam Dam (8 cm), and several others including Parambikulam, Vythiri, Palode, Ranni, and Kuppadi with 7 cm each.
The early onset of the Southwest Monsoon this year — arriving on May 24, eight days ahead of the normal date — has already brought above-average rainfall to Kerala, making the current alerts especially critical.
The IMD continues to monitor the evolving weather patterns closely and has urged residents, especially in high-alert zones, to remain cautious and follow updates issued by local authorities.