After a lull in Kerala, the southwest monsoon has been once again been gaining strength in the state with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declaring red and orange warnings in several districts for three days from July 18 (Thursday). A red warning means ‘take action’, while an orange warning is ‘be prepared’.
The red warning will be in effect in Idukki and Malappuram districts on July 18 and in Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur districts on July 19. Red warning has been issued for Ernakulam and Thrissur besides in Idukki and Malappuram on July 20. IMD forecasts extremely heavy rain (more than 204 millimeter in 24 hours) in these districts.
“The incessant and strong rain would increase the possibility of floods and landslide, and by issuing red alert implies that the government institutions and the public should be cautious,” the State Disaster Management Authority says.
IMD has also issued an orange warning on July 17 for Idukki, Kottayam on July 18, for Ernakulam and Palakkad on July 19 and for Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on July 20.
In the districts, where orange warning has been declared it has been predicted that there is likely to be heavy rains (up to 115 millimeter) in isolated areas and extremely heavy rains (from 115 millimeter to 204.5 millimeter).
A Yellow warning or ‘be updated’ has been sounded in Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on July 16, in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur in July 17. Yellow warning will be in place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode on July 18.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kasargode have been issued a yellow warning on July 19. Barring Thrissur, a yellow warning has been issued for the above districts.
The KSDMA has directed government departments concerned to take the necessary precautions and to start control rooms at Taluk levels.
It has directed those living in places vulnerable to floods and also those hit by the floods in 2018 to prepare a kit with valuable documents and things and to shift to safe places as directed by the authorities if necessary.