Kerala weather alert: Heavy rain, flood risk high as IMD issues orange and yellow warnings

Kerala rains

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of severe weather warnings for Kerala, with an orange alert declared for five districts for Wednesday, October 22. The alert signals anticipated heavy to very heavy rainfall, posing a significant risk of disruption and danger.

According to a report by Onmanorama, the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki are under the orange alert for Wednesday. A yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall is in effect for 11 districts: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

The severe weather is being driven by a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea, which the IMD forecasts will intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. A separate low-pressure area is also likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal, creating a complex system influencing the region's weather.

Under the influence of these systems, the IMD has predicted widespread rainfall activity with heavy (7–11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (12–20 cm in 24 hours) at one or two places in Kerala between October 22 and 24. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely on October 21, 25 and 26. and also over Lakshadweep between October 20 and 22.

The IMD's warning outlines a cascade of potential impacts from the intense rainfall. The weather agency has advised the public to prepare for poor visibility, traffic congestion and waterlogging. More severe consequences could include the uprooting of trees, damage to power lines and structural damage to vulnerable, kutcha houses.

There is a heightened risk of flash floods, landslides and flooding in low-lying areas. The IMD also warned that surface transport could be severely disrupted and that standing crops could be harmed, leading to soil erosion. A specific caution was issued about the risk of lightning injuries to people and cattle in open areas.

Authorities have urged the public to follow traffic advisories diligently and avoid waterlogged areas and regions prone to landslides. People are advised to stay away from vulnerable structures and riverfronts.

Farmers have been asked to take protective measures such as providing mulch at the base of crops and have been advised to postpone sowing seeds to prevent water stagnation. The IMD and state authorities have emphasised the importance of staying updated with the latest official weather alerts as the situation develops.