Kerala rain red alert warnings have been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad as an intensifying low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy to extreme rainfall to the state on Sunday and Monday. The India Meteorological Department has forecast more than 20 cm of rain in 24 hours in the three districts and warned that the system could strengthen into a cyclone over the central-west Bay of Bengal.
The IMD has issued an orange warning, indicating 12-20 cm of rain, for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur on Sunday. The remaining districts have been placed under a yellow warning, which indicates 7-11 cm of rain. The department said extreme rainfall was very likely at one or two places in the districts under the highest alerts.
The warning marks the first red alert issued in Kerala during this year’s Northeast monsoon, according to the report. The weather system is expected to intensify while moving west-northwest and could develop into a cyclone by Monday morning. The system is likely to reach the central-west Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by Wednesday morning, the IMD said.
The alert has triggered restrictions in some of the state’s disaster-prone areas. In Wayanad, district collector and District Disaster Management Authority chairperson V Chelsasini declared a holiday for religious study classes, tuition centres and special classes on Sunday. The order also warned that institutions violating the direction could face action under Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The Wayanad administration has also imposed a complete ban on the functioning of resorts, homestays and tourist centres in disaster-prone areas on Sunday. The order covers adventure tourism and trekking activities. Secretaries of the concerned local self-government institutions have been directed to take steps to relocate residents of vulnerable areas to safer locations.
Specific instructions have been issued for the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi tunnel road construction area. The Meppadi panchayat secretary and the Vellarimala village officer have been asked to jointly arrange the relocation of people living in the construction zone. The direction highlights the additional risk faced by residents and workers in areas where major infrastructure works are underway during extreme weather.
Kozhikode and Malappuram district administrations have also declared holidays for religious study classes, tuition centres and special classes on Sunday. The measures are intended to reduce movement and limit exposure in districts facing the highest rainfall risk.
The IMD’s warning also comes against a varied rainfall pattern across the state. Wayanad recorded a 53% deficiency during the Southwest monsoon but has received excess rain during the Northeast monsoon so far, according to the report. District authorities are expected to continue monitoring vulnerable locations and implement relocation and safety measures as the system develops.
