The red alert issued in four districts in Kerala has now been lifted by the Indian Meteorological Department, with the monsoons finally arriving in the state.
Alerts were issued to Thrissur on June 10 and to Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kozhikode on June 11. A red alert warns the districts to expect heavy to very heavy rainfall. With monsoon arriving on Saturday, the alert was lifted by the department. However, the orange and yellow alerts issued from June 10-12 continue to stand.
Currently, there is an orange alert for Ernakulam and Malappuram on Monday. For Tuesday, an orange alert has been issued to Ernakulam, Malappuram and Thrissur.
Isolated heavy to very heavy rains are expected in parts of Ernakulam and Kozhikode and hence, public and government systems have been asked to remain alert.
Meanwhile Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur and Malappuram have been issued a yellow alert for Sunday.
For Monday, a yellow alert has been issued for Thrissur, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has been put on alert as heavy rains are expected in isolated areas. The irrigation department, which also controls 16 dams in Kerala, earlier wrote to the district administration that in case of heavy rains in Ernakulam, the Boothathankettu barrage shutters will be opened on June 10-11.
The shutters will be opened and water let into the Periyar river depending on the intensity of rainfall.
The IMD has predicted squally weather with winds touching 35-40 km per hour, which is likely to continue over the south-west Arabian Sea off the coast of Lakshadweep, Maldives and Gulf of Mannar.