Thiruvananthapuram, 08 Oct (H.S.): Heavy rain is likely to lash parts of Kerala until Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department issuing yellow alerts for several districts. A separate warning has advised fishermen and coastal residents to remain vigilant against possible sea surges along the Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari coasts.

On Thursday, yellow alerts are in force in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Malappuram districts, where isolated heavy rainfall is expected.

The rain warning will cover eight districts on Friday: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. On Saturday, yellow alerts have been announced for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki.

The forecast indicates the possibility of isolated heavy showers rather than uniform rainfall across all the districts under alert. The weather department classifies rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours as heavy rain.

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki remain under yellow alert on all three days, while the warning extends to additional districts on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has warned of possible coastal inundation associated with the “Kallakkadal” phenomenon, or swell surges, along stretches of the southern coastline.

Along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, from Kappil to Pozhiyoor, waves measuring between 0.9 metres and 1.1 metres could cause sea surges until 11.30 pm on Friday, the centre said.

A similar warning applies to the Kanyakumari coast, where waves ranging from 0.9 metres to 1.3 metres are expected during the same period. The advisory flags the possibility of seawater advancing onto vulnerable coastal stretches.

Fishermen and people living along the affected coastlines have been urged to exercise caution in view of the risk of sea surges.

The rainfall alerts and coastal warnings together place several inland districts and southern coastal stretches under caution, with the sea surge advisory remaining valid through late Friday and rainfall warnings continuing into Saturday.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman