Thiruvananthapuram, 07 June (H.S.): Kerala is expected to continue experiencing intense monsoon conditions on Sunday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across large parts of the state. An Orange Alert has been issued for seven northern districts, while the remaining seven districts remain under a Yellow Alert, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain vigilant.

The districts under Orange Alert are Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur, where isolated locations are likely to receive very heavy rainfall. The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph in several areas.

A Yellow Alert has been issued for Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Weather officials said the active southwest monsoon is expected to keep conditions unsettled over the state during the coming days.

Authorities have cautioned residents living in low-lying regions, riverbanks and areas prone to waterlogging to exercise extreme caution, as heavy rain could trigger localized flooding and inundation. Disaster management agencies and local administrations have been placed on alert to respond to any weather-related emergencies.

The weather department has also indicated that Orange Alerts will continue in five northern Kerala districts on Monday as the monsoon system remains active over the region.

Meanwhile, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along the Kerala, Lakshadweep and Karnataka coasts until June 9 due to rough sea conditions and strong winds. Wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are expected over these coastal waters during the period.

Adverse weather conditions are also likely over large stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Strong winds are forecast over the Somalia coast, adjoining southwest and central-west Arabian Sea, southern Maharashtra and Goa coasts, the Maldives region, Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari waters, the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan coasts, and parts of the southern and central Bay of Bengal.

Officials have urged the public to closely follow weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas as Kerala braces for another spell of heavy monsoon rainfall.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman