The Kerala government has urged residents to exercise caution, particularly those residing in hilly and coastal areas, as heavy rains continue to lash the state. The wet spell has disrupted daily activities in the affected regions, and the concerned authorities have implemented various safety measures, including travel bans until the alerts are lifted.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts, warning of heavy rains for Sunday and Monday. Orange alerts have also been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts for the same period. The orange alert will remain in effect for May 21 as well.
The IMD has forecasted thunderstorms and gusty winds with moderate rainfall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kasaragod, and Kannur districts until 1:00 pm today. The Idukki District Collector has imposed a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday onwards, which will remain in effect until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn.
The concerned authorities in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts have also banned mining activities due to the IMD’s heavy rain forecast. Several houses and shops were inundated, and waterlogging affected Thiruvananthapuram city and its suburbs after the southern district of the city experienced heavy showers on the night of May 18.
The IMD has predicted that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala on May 31 this year, earlier than the usual June 1 arrival date. The department has also stated that isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Kerala & Mahe on May 18th & 22nd, and South Interior Karnataka during May 18th-20th. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is also possible over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19th-21st.
