As rains continue to intensify in the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts in 12 districts on Sunday, revising its earlier forecast for the day. This includes an orange alert in Ernakulam and yellow alerts in 11 other districts.

The IMD issued a yellow alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasargod districts, while the Ernakulam district was placed under orange alert.

As per the latest Radar Imagery, a moderate-to-intense spell of rainfall and gusty wind speeds reaching 40 kmph is expected in the Ernakulam district of Kerala for the next 3 hours, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said in a Facebook post.

The IMD also said that Kerala is likely to receive widespread rain and thundershowers till May 29, with thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, also likely at isolated places till May 27.

Yellow alert in districts:
May 25: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram
May 26: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam
May 27: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha
May 28: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki

It has also warned of squally weather along the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts till May 27, with wind speeds likely to reach 40-50 kmph gusting up to 60 kmph. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.

Meanwhile, the weather agency added that the southwest monsoon has advanced further into parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, the Comorin region, and several parts of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. Conditions remain favourable for further advancement over the next three to four days.

The IMD noted a significant drop in maximum temperatures in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Kollam districts over the past 24 hours, while temperatures remained below normal in Kannur, Malappuram, and Kollam. Elsewhere in the state, temperatures remained near normal. Palakkad recorded the highest maximum temperature in Kerala on Saturday at 34.1 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have cautioned the public about possible waterlogging, reduced visibility and traffic congestion in low-lying areas due to heavy rain. Strong winds may uproot trees, damage power lines and disrupt transportation and electricity supply. Crops nearing harvest could also suffer damage.

The IMD has further warned of the possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas and lightning-related accidents. People have been advised to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, stay away from weak structures and follow official safety advisories.