Kerala: IMD Issues Red Alert For Idukki, Pathanamthitta Districts Amid Heavy Rains

In response to continuous heavy rains, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced the opening of a state control room in the Health Department Directorate to enhance epidemic prevention efforts.

Rough sea at Valiyathura coast in Thiruvananthapuram ( Image Source :PTI )

Amidst widespread rainfall across several parts of Kerala on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. These districts had previously been under an orange alert experiencing intense heavy rains over the past few days.

The IMD announced an orange alert on Wednesday for nine districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Additionally, a yellow alert was issued for Kannur and Kasaragod.

Authorities also forecast high waves ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 meters and potential sea incursions along the Kerala coast, from southern Vizhinjam to northern Kasaragod, until Thursday night.

A red alert indicates extremely heavy rain exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours. An orange alert signifies very heavy rain between 11 cm and 20 cm, while a yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm.

Further, the IMD on Wednesday said, "Squally wind with wind speed reaching 50 kmph to 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely to prevail over central Bay of Bengal. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 45 kmph to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to prevail over Kerala Coast, Maldives area, south Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea."

"Comorin Area, Gulf of Mannar, south Tamilnadu coast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail Andaman Sea," it said. 

Kerala & Mahe is very likely to get isolated heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy falls (>204.5 mm) on 22nd May and heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.5 mm) on 23rd May, 2024.#rainfallalert #weatherupdate #rain@moesgoi @DDNewslive @ndmaindia @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/sFfbP4zHLs

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 22, 2024

In response to the continuous heavy rains, Health Minister Veena George announced the opening of a state control room in the Health Department Directorate to enhance epidemic prevention efforts.

In a statement, she mentioned that a state-level rapid response team had already been established by the department for epidemic prevention. The control room has been launched to coordinate various activities under the Health Department and to address the concerns of health workers and the general public, the minister added.