Extremely heavy rainfall warning in 5 districts of Kerala today

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued red alert in five districts — Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur — indicating extremely heavy rainfall. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange alert means very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

Thiruvananthapuram: Several districts of Kerala, including capital Thiruvananthapuram, are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Monday, as the IMD has sounded a red alert for them.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued red alert in five districts for Monday — Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur — indicating extremely heavy rainfall.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange alert means very heavy rains from 6 cm to 20 cm. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.

Meanwhile, five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in various districts of the state in view of the IMD forecast.

The teams are self-contained and equipped with flood rescue equipment, collapsed structure search and rescue equipment, communication equipment and PPE kits, said NDRF, PTI reported.

The teams have been deployed in five districts of Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad following the request of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).

The NDRF said the control room at Arakkonam was keeping a close watch on the situation round the clock.

As the southern part of Kerala has been experiencing heavy rain for the past few days, people staying in low-lying areas, on the banks of the rivers and hilly regions have been advised to remain vigilant.

The IMD has predicted that this year, the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala is likely to be earlier than normal date of onset. The monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be on May 27, five days earlier than the normal onset date.

The advance of the southwest monsoon over Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala and is an important indicator characterising the transition from hot and dry season to a rainy season.