Kerala braces for five day rainfall spell yellow alert issued for Kannur and Kasaragod coastal areas on high alert
In Kerala, India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the northern Kerala districts of Kannur and Kasaragod warning of isolated heavy rainfall and gusty winds from July 8 to July 11. This weather disturbance is caused by an offshore trough extending from Gujarat to Karnataka and a low pressure area stretching between Maharashtra and Goa.
Another low pressure system developing over Gangetic West Bengal is expected to move toward Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh intensifying the overall weather activity across the region. As per the IMD forecast Kannur and Kasaragod are likely to receive rainfall between 64 point five and 115 point five millimetres in a day accompanied by wind speeds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour until July 9.
Additional forecasts indicate moderate rain and wind activity in Malappuram Kozhikode and Wayanad while southern districts including Kollam Pathanamthitta Alappuzha and Kottayam are expected to receive lighter showers on July 8. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services along with the IMD has also issued a sea swell and coastal erosion alert for the state particularly along the Kannur and Kasaragod coastlines. Wave heights may reach up to three point one metres with squally winds expected to gust up to 65 kilometres per hour.
Despite no formal fishing ban in Kerala authorities have strongly advised caution due to possible sea incursions beach erosion and sudden wave surges. A fishing ban however remains in place along the Karnataka coast till July 11. Residents have been urged to avoid visiting beaches or low lying coastal areas during this period and to secure fishing boats and gear. Citizens are also advised not to take shelter under trees and to park vehicles away from potentially hazardous locations.
Fisherfolk and coastal residents have been asked to closely follow updates from IMD INCOIS and the state disaster management authority as the weather system remains active throughout the week.
