Monsoon to hit Kerala in 24 hours

Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared red alert in four districts of Kerala as the southwest monsoon is set to make its official presence over the Indian mainland in the next 24 hours.

The IMD has declared a series of 'orange' and 'yellow' alerts for Sunday and Monday indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The alerts have come in the context of the expected formation of a low-pressure area off the Kerala and Karnataka coasts along with an offshore trough from the Maharashtra to Kerala coasts.

The 'orange alert' is valid on Sunday for the southern districts of Kollam and Alappuzha, with isolated heavy to very rain (between 11.5 cm and 20 cm), a special bulletin issued by the local office of the IMD said.

Both the public and the state government machinery need to be watchful and take appropriate steps to mitigate the harsh impact from the violent weather during the notified days.

'Yellow alert' indicating prospects of isolated heavy rain has been declared for today (Friday) for Kozhikode; and tomorrow (Saturday) for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam.

'Yellow alert' is valid on Sunday for Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Malappuram districts indicating the possibility of isolated heavy rain during these days.

As for Monday, the 'yellow alert' is applicable for the districts of Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Wayanad. These alerts could be upgraded later in tune with any changes with the forecast weather.

All relevant state departments and officials have been directed to be in a state of preparedness and to open control rooms at the taluk-level in the notified areas.

The State Disaster Management Agency is expected to come out later today with a detailed circular to the officials, departments and the general public delineating required steps to be taken in this connection.

The East-West shear zone of monsoon winds and turbulence runs roughly across the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Comorin area. It would shift northwards gradually.