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Red Alert has been declared for eight districts in Kerala. (Photo: X)
Kerala Rain Today: A Red Alert has been declared for eight districts in Kerala as the state has been rattled by increasing intensity of the southwest monsoon, bringing the danger of extremely heavy rainfall as well as flash floods and landslides. Residents are advised to stay alert, avoid traveling to places out of necessity and comply with instructions from authorities even in the areas unlikely to encounter extreme weather events.
The warning follows continuous rainfall that has already started filling up the state's major reservoirs and alleviating concerns over the power supply, which have been jeopardized by below-average monsoon rainfall over recent months.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a Red Alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, calling the region prone to extremely heavy rainfall.
It has also declared an Orange Alert for Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad, and a Yellow Alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha.
The weather department says that the active southwest monsoon is likely to sustain rainy conditions in the coming days.
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As rain keeps pouring down in several districts, the government has issued a warning about landslides in hilly areas, flash flooding in low-lying regions, waterlogging in urban areas, uprooting of trees and power outages.
Officials are urging the residents of riverine, low-lying and hilly areas prone to landslides to stay alert. They have also warned fishermen not to go into the sea during the inclement weather.
People are being advised to take care when traveling, especially through landslide occurrences, and to comply with directions of the district administrations and disaster management authorities.
While the rain has raised safety concerns, it has also brought relief to Kerala's electricity sector.
After weeks of low rainfall, water levels in major hydropower reservoirs, including Idukki, Idamalayar and Sabarigiri, have increased significantly. The fresh inflow is expected to improve hydroelectric power generation and reduce the state's dependence on purchasing expensive electricity from the national grid.
Kerala meets nearly 25 per cent of its electricity demand through hydropower generated by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), making a healthy monsoon crucial for stable power supply.
Weather forecasts indicate that Kerala is likely to witness intermittent showers and overcast conditions throughout the coming week, with Kochi expected to receive frequent rainfall and temperatures hovering between 28°C and 30°C.
With the monsoon remaining active, authorities have asked the public to stay updated on IMD bulletins and take precautionary measures as the state braces for more heavy rain.
