Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has directed the public to be vigilant as heavy rain is likely across Kerala till July 13.

An orange alert has been issued in Kerala's northern districts on Sunday – Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram.

A yellow alert has been issued in seven other districts – Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours while an orange alert means very heavy rains from 11 cm to 20 cm of rain.

A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.

The KSDMA has warned the State administrators on the likelihood of flash floods and landslides.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed District Collectors and other officials to take all measures to avert any serious damage or loss of life.

Those living in areas hard-hit by landslides and floods in 2018, 2019 and 2020 have been asked to take all precautions.

Those living along the banks of Pamba, Manimalayar, Achankovil rivers have also been asked to take caution.

Fishermen have been told not to venture out into the sea till July 14 as strong winds up to 60 kmph are likely along the Kerala coast.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a low depression is also likely to form in the Bay of Bengal in the coming days.

Forecast for July 12:

Orange alert - Kasaragod, Kannur

Yellow alert - Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam

Heed the warnings

• People living in disaster-prone areas should prepare an emergency kit urgently.

• Do not cross rivers, or take bath in rivers or water bodies, or go fishing.

• Completely avoid night travel to hill-range areas.

• As there is a possibility of sea incursion, people living along such areas should move to safer locations if necessary.

• People living in shanties or worn-out buildings should be prepared to move out on receiving warnings.

• Trees, electric poles and billboards that pose danger should be secured.

Rainfall deficit of 46 per cent this monsoon

Though extremely heavy rainfall has been forecast in the coming days, the state has received less than normal rainfall so far. There is a rainfall deficit of 46 per cent from June 1 till now. Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad received the lowest rainfall, with a deficit of 61 per cent in both the districts.

Even though the monsoon has been weak in all 14 districts, six districts did not get even half of the rainfall received normally during this period. Wayanad recorded a deficit of 56 per cent, while Idukki 41 per cent. Also, a rainfall deficit of 79 per cent from July 1 to 7.

For the last couple of monsoon seasons, the rainfall has been decreasing from June to mid-July, as per the estimates of the meteorological department. There is also the trend of rains intensifying from late July till mid-August. This was the monsoon pattern in 2018 and 2019 when floods occurred in the state.