Northern Kerala on red alert; heavy rainfall predicted till Dec 8

The IMD has advised against fishing along the Kerala coast on December 2 and 3, the southern Karnataka coast on December 2, the Karnataka coast on December 3, and in the Lakshadweep region from December 3 to 5.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall in Kerala due to Cyclone Fengal, now weakened into a low-pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu and extending into south interior Karnataka. Meteorologists expect this system to potentially redevelop, emerging into the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea near Kerala and Karnataka’s northern coasts around December 3.

Kerala is forecast to experience light to moderate rain across most regions, with isolated areas likely to receive very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in northern and central parts of the state on Tuesday, while intermittent showers and occasional thunderstorms are likely to persist over the next five days, according to the IMD.

Red alerts have been issued for five northern districts - Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram- on Monday. Additionally, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts are under orange alert, while yellow alerts are in place for Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.

State Revenue Minister K Rajan has urged residents, particularly in northern Kerala, to remain vigilant as rainfall intensity is likely to increase. Officials confirmed that five National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are positioned in Kerala, with deployments in Sabarimala, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, and Thrissur districts.

The IMD has advised against fishing along the Kerala coast on December 2 and 3, the southern Karnataka coast on December 2, the Karnataka coast on December 3, and in the Lakshadweep region from December 3 to 5.

In Kannur, the Pazhassi Reservoir’s shutters will be opened at 8 AM on Tuesday to release excess water due to heavy inflow, the Executive Engineer of the Pazhassi Irrigation Project Division said. Residents downstream have been warned to remain alert.

Relief efforts have been initiated in Kottayam district, where three relief camps have been set up to accommodate 71 people from 22 families. One camp is located in Changanassery Taluk, and two are in Kottayam Taluk.

District administrations in Kasaragod, Malappuram, Thrissur, and Alappuzha have declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, tuition centres, anganwadis, and madrasas, on Tuesday. However, model residential schools will remain open.

The Kasaragod District Collector clarified that pre-scheduled examinations would proceed as planned. Similarly, the Thrissur District Collector stated that the holiday would not apply to the Revenue District School Arts Festival or residential educational institutions.

Earlier on Monday, holidays were declared for educational institutions, including professional colleges and anganwadis, in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, and Wayanad districts.