Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe weather warnings for Kerala, predicting extremely heavy rainfall over the next five days due to an active low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea. Simultaneously, a deepening depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, posing heightened weather risks across southern and eastern India.
Key Weather Systems Active Now
- Arabian Sea Low-Pressure Area: A low-pressure area lies over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep, with an associated trough extending from the cyclonic circulation across Kerala to the north Tamil Nadu coast.
- Bay of Bengal Cyclonic Threat: The well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a depression today (October 24, 2026), move west-northwestwards to become a deep depression by October 25, and transform into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26. It is projected to approach the Andhra Pradesh coast by October 28 morning.
IMD 5-Day District-Wise Rainfall Alerts for Kerala
The IMD and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have sounded multiple weather alerts across various districts:
🔴 Red Alert (Extremely Heavy Rainfall: Greater than 204.4 mm in 24 hours)
- October 25, 2026: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
- October 26, 2026: Idukki, Palakkad
🟠 Orange Alert (Very Heavy Rainfall: 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours)
- October 24, 2026: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
- October 25, 2026: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur
- October 26, 2026: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram
🟡 Yellow Alert (Heavy Rainfall: 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours)
- October 24, 2026: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam
- October 25, 2026: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kasaragod
- October 26, 2026: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad
- October 27, 2026: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram
Safety Warnings & Public Advisory
Meteorological authorities warn that extreme rainfall events over short durations can trigger flash floods, mountain torrents (malayellapachal), urban waterlogging, and landslides in vulnerable hill tracts.
- Wind Warning: Isolated heavy spells will be accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30–40 km/h from October 24 to October 27.
- Action Required: General public and governmental response agencies are advised to maintain extreme vigilance, avoid non-essential travel to hilly regions, and monitor updates directly from IMD-KSEOC-KSDMA channels.
(Issued: October 24, 2026, at 1:30 PM | Source: IMD – KSEOC – KSDMA)
