Rain Lash Central and Southern Kerala; IMD Issues Alerts

Heavy downpours continued to drench central and southern Kerala on Friday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue orange alerts for seven districts amid widespread flooding concerns. The alerts, effective from 7 a.m. for three hours, cover Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, where thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall and surface winds up to 40 kmph are forecast. An orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall between 11 and 20 cm in 24 hours, a level that often disrupts daily life and infrastructure in the coastal state.

In response to the intensifying weather, authorities in Thiruvananthapuram district ordered the closure of all schools and colleges, prioritising student safety amid waterlogging and potential travel hazards. The IMD also anticipates moderate to light rainfall and strong winds across the remaining districts, extending the impact statewide. This episode aligns with Kerala's prolonged monsoon season, which typically peaks in June but often lingers into September due to retreating southwest winds and cyclonic influences from the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal. Low-pressure systems, like the one recently forming over the Bay, frequently exacerbate such events, leading to flash floods in low-lying areas.

The rains have already caused disruptions, including traffic snarls and minor inundations in urban centres like Kochi and Kollam. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state fire services are on standby, particularly in vulnerable hilly terrains of Idukki and Pathanamthitta, where landslides pose additional risks. Kerala, with its 44 rivers and dense Western Ghats terrain, remains highly susceptible to monsoon fury; last year's floods displaced over 100,000 people and inflicted damages exceeding Rs 1,300 crore. The state government has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and monitor local advisories.

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As the IMD monitors evolving patterns, the alerts underscore the need for robust climate resilience measures in Kerala, where erratic weather linked to global warming has intensified flood cycles. Officials are coordinating with central agencies for relief, emphasising early warnings and community preparedness to mitigate losses in this biodiversity-rich but flood-prone region.

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