Kerala is bracing for an intensification of the Northeast monsoon, with the India Meteorological Department issuing orange alerts across 10 districts as severe downpours, lightning, and gusty winds sweep through the state. According to malyalam.news18.com, the severe weather system is driven by a low-pressure area currently persisting over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep.
Ten Districts Under Orange Warning
The state weather office placed Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram under an orange alert, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 millimeters to 204.4 millimeters within a 24-hour period. Meanwhile, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts have been placed under a yellow alert. Mathrubhumi reported that high-range areas in Kozhikode, including Kuttiady, Nadapuram, Thamarassery, and Mukkam, have already experienced severe thunderstorms, with a retaining wall collapsing in Thamarassery.
The downpours are projected to persist across the state through October 26.
Authorities Ban Fishing as High Winds Threaten Coasts
Maritime authorities have enforced strict prohibitions against fishing along the coasts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep through October 26, citing expected wind speeds of 35 to 55 kilometers per hour. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services issued warnings regarding high swell waves and coastal erosion, known locally as the ‘Kallakkal’ phenomenon, affecting coastal stretches from Kappil to Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram, as well as the coast of Kanyakumari.
State disaster management authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone and low-lying riverine areas to relocate to designated relief camps during daylight hours. Officials have also prohibited crossing rivers, bathing in water bodies, and stopping on bridges to take photographs or selfies. Control rooms operate 24 hours a day across all districts, and citizens can access emergency assistance by dialing toll-free numbers 1077 or 1070.
