Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department has revised its weather forecast and sounded a red alert for Pathanamthitta district from Saturday (May 18) to Monday (May 20). Earlier, an orange alert was sounded in the district for Saturday. Apart from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts are also placed under a red alert on Sunday and Monday. As per the revised forecast for Sunday, an orange alert is sounded in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode and a yellow alert in all other nine districts.
A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm).
Red alert in districts
May 18: Pathanamthitta
May 19: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
May 20: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
Orange alert in districts
May 18: Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode
May 19: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam
May 20: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam
May 21: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad
May 22: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki
Though an orange alert is sounded in these districts, some places are likely to receive extremely heavy rain similar to a red alert, predicted the weatherman.
Yellow alert in districts
May 18: Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
May 19: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
May 20: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
May 21: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
May 22: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
Furthermore, strong winds of 30 to 40 km per hour are anticipated on May 19 and 20. The State Disaster Management Authority advises against venturing into the sea from the Kerala coast until further notice due to expected adverse weather conditions.
Following the IMD forecast, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that heavy rains are expected to continue in the state for the next five days which could lead to flash floods, waterlogging, landslides and mudslides. The CM, in a Facebook post, said that those living in hilly and low-lying areas should be ready to move to safer places or rehabilitation camps.
He also directed that trees should be trimmed and posts, boards, etc in public and private places should be secured if they pose a danger. He also advised against entering rivers or other bodies of water for bathing, fishing or any other purpose during the rains and to avoid travelling to hilly areas at night.
The CM further said that the risk of road accidents is higher during rains and advised people to be careful.
(With PTI inputs)
