Thiruvananthapuram, 13 May (H.S.):The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over the south Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by May 16, raising hopes for an early advance of the monsoon system.

The weather department also warned of widespread rain activity across Kerala over the next few days, with the possibility of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in isolated places between May 13 and May 16.

According to the IMD, the low-pressure area that had formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area. The system is expected to further influence weather conditions over the southern states, particularly Kerala and coastal regions.

The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 50 kmph in isolated parts of Kerala and Mahe during the next five days. Authorities have urged people living in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain cautious as rainfall activity is expected to intensify gradually.

In view of the possibility of heavy rain, the IMD has issued yellow alerts for several districts across Kerala on different days this week.

For Wednesday, yellow alerts have been declared in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. On Thursday, alerts will remain in place for Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts.

On Friday, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall, while on Saturday, yellow alerts have been issued for Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts.

The IMD clarified that a yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within a 24-hour period in isolated locations.

Disaster management authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during thunderstorms and stay away from open spaces and water bodies during lightning activity. Fishermen have also been asked to closely monitor weather updates before venturing into the sea.

Weather observers said rainfall activity over Kerala is expected to strengthen further as the southwest monsoon progresses towards the Indian mainland in the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman