Thiruvananthapuram, 24 Oct (H.S.): Keralam is likely to experience isolated spells of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall until Tuesday under the influence of two low-pressure systems, with the India Meteorological Department issuing red alerts for several districts.

Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad are under red alert on Sunday, when isolated extremely heavy rainfall is forecast. Palakkad and Idukki have been placed under red alert for Monday.

Rain warnings cover all 14 districts on Saturday and Sunday, indicating widespread unsettled weather across the state.

On Saturday, orange alerts have been issued for Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur, where isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected. The remaining seven districts are under yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall.

For Sunday, orange alerts cover Kannur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. Kasaragod, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram are under yellow alert, while the three northern districts face the highest warning level.

According to the weather department, one low-pressure area lies over the southeastern Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep region. A trough extending from the associated cyclonic circulation across Kerala to the northern Tamil Nadu coast is also contributing to the rainfall.

A second low-pressure area is situated over the southeastern Bay of Bengal and adjoining east-central waters.

The department said this system was likely to intensify into a depression on Saturday before moving west-northwestwards and strengthening into a deep depression by Sunday.

It could develop into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning.

Over the following two days, the system is expected to intensify further and continue moving west-northwestwards towards the northern Andhra Pradesh coast and adjoining southern Odisha coast.

The combined influence of these weather systems is expected to sustain rainfall over Kerala, with the intensity varying across districts through Tuesday, according to the forecast issued by the weather department.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman