THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents in Kerala should brace for a wet spell over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across the state from February 20 to 24, with isolated heavy rainfall expected over the weekend.
In response to the intensifying weather conditions, a ‘Yellow Alert’ has been issued for several southern and central districts for February 21 and 22. A yellow alert indicates a high probability of isolated heavy rainfall, ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within a 24-hour period.
Districts Under Yellow Alert:
- February 21 (Saturday): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki.
- February 22 (Sunday): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki.
What is Causing the Unseasonal Rain? According to the meteorological department, the shifting weather patterns are driven by atmospheric changes in the surrounding oceans. A low-pressure area that previously existed over the equatorial Indian Ocean and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal has weakened into a cyclonic circulation. This system is expected to move in a west-northwest direction towards the Sri Lankan coast over the next 24 hours.
Furthermore, another cyclonic circulation is currently active over the equatorial Indian Ocean and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. Weather experts predict that this system is likely to intensify into a fresh low-pressure area within the next 48 hours, bringing moisture-laden winds to the Kerala coast.
