IMD warns of active depression in Bay of Bengal, Kerala to receive rain for five days
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The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Kerala from August 8 to 12 following the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwestern Bay of Bengal and northern Odisha.
Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in the state on August 8 and 9, while strong winds with speeds of 40 to 60 km per hour are likely along the Kerala-Lakshadweep coast.
An orange alert has been issued for seven districts - Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod - on Saturday. A yellow alert is in place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
For August 9, a yellow alert has been issued in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
The State Disaster Management Authority has advised people living in areas prone to landslides, landslips and flash floods to move to safer locations as directed by authorities. People living along riverbanks and downstream of dams have also been asked to remain alert to possible risks and be prepared to relocate.
Residents of unreinforced or fragile houses have been advised to exercise additional caution due to the possibility of strong winds. The public has been asked to avoid non-essential travel as rainfall intensifies and not enter water bodies for bathing or fishing. Gathering on bridges or taking selfies near water bodies has also been prohibited.
Twenty-four-hour control rooms are operational in all districts to respond to emergencies. The toll-free numbers 1077 and 1070 are available for assistance.
The Disaster Management Authority has also advised residents of disaster-prone areas to keep emergency kits ready. It said the alerts may change based on further updates from the India Meteorological Department and urged residents to follow the Authority's official social media channels for updates.