Kerala Rains & Weather Forecast Today Highlights: Orange alerts in multiple districts as Kerala braces for ‘heavy’ rainfall

After the northeast monsoon set in over Kerala in the first week of October, the state has been reporting heavy spells of rain in several parts. At the same time, the state has also reported a total 27% rain deficit in the three weeks of October.

Meanwhile, rain continues to batter the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu causing a sharp rise in the water levels of the reservoirs.The Mettur Dam, the largest reservoir in the state, reached its Full Reservoir Level (FRL).

The widespread rain forced the administration in several districts to declare a holiday for schools and colleges on Wednesday. Apart from the intermittent spells of heavy rain in Chennai, widespread showers thrashed the coastal districts.

Chief minister M K Stalin, who chaired a meeting of officials to review the preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon in the wake of heavy rain forecast by the IMD, directed the officials to be vigilant and remain on the field for rescue and relief activities.

Heavy rains were reported from Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and also Tuticorin districts. The IMD has issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu owing to the formation of a low pressure over the Bay of Bengal that is set to intensify into a deep depression.

Officials of the Revenue Department, the Kerala State Electricity Board, panchayats, and the Public Works Department were told to remain alert and ready to face any eventuality.

Isolated places in the state is very likely to get “extremely heavy” rainfall today and heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places tomorrow, the IMD said in its latest update.

“Heavy rainfall (7cm to 11cm in 24 hours) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala from October 24 to 27 and in Lakshadweep on October 22. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty wind (speed reaching 30- 40 km) is very likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala and Lakshadweep till October 25,” the IMD update read.

An ‘orange’ warning (heavy to very heavy rainfall) has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad for today and Kannur and Kasaragod for tomorrow.

Keralites woke up to heavy rain today, with many districts on 'red', 'orange' and 'yellow' alerts.