Kerala on High Alert as Heavy Rain Intensifies, Orange Alert Issued in 11 Districts

Kerala remained on high alert on Sunday as the southwest monsoon gathered strength, bringing widespread rainfall across the state and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange alerts for 11 districts . With the possibility of very heavy rainfall over the next few days, authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to stay vigilant and follow official safety advisories.

According to the latest weather bulletin issued through the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) , the orange alert covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod . The warning was initially issued for six districts before being extended to five more as rainfall intensified across different parts of the state.

Meanwhile, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram remain under a yellow alert , indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall. The IMD has also forecast continued wet weather over the coming days, with orange alerts remaining in force for Kannur and Kasaragod on June 29 , Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on June 30 , and Kannur and Kasaragod on July 1 .

An orange alert signifies the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours , raising concerns over flooding, waterlogging, landslides and disruptions to normal life. A yellow alert , on the other hand, indicates heavy rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm over a 24 hour period.

The weather department has also issued yellow alerts for several districts over the next few days, suggesting that widespread rainfall is likely to continue across much of Kerala through the week.

In view of the worsening weather conditions, the KSDMA has appealed to residents living in landslide prone regions, hilly areas, riverbanks and downstream of dams to remain alert and shift to safer locations if directed by local authorities. The agency has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, waterfalls and other water bodies, refrain from crossing flooded roads, and postpone visits to hill stations until weather conditions improve.

Emergency response systems have been activated across the state, with district and taluk control rooms functioning round the clock . Residents requiring assistance have been asked to contact the toll free emergency helpline numbers 1077 and 1070 .

With the monsoon expected to remain active in the coming days, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged the public to rely only on official weather updates while strictly following safety instructions to minimise risks.