Thiruvananthapuram, 08 June (H.S.):

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued widespread rainfall across Kerala, prompting authorities to issue orange and yellow alerts in several districts and warn fishermen against venturing into the sea due to rough weather conditions.

According to the latest weather bulletin, orange alerts have been declared in Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, indicating the likelihood of very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Yellow alerts have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad districts.

The IMD has warned that isolated areas could receive extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. Very heavy rainfall is defined as precipitation ranging between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within a 24-hour period. Residents in vulnerable areas, particularly those living near rivers, hilly regions and landslide-prone locations, have been advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

The weather department has also issued a strong advisory for fishermen. Fishing activities have been prohibited along the Kerala, Lakshadweep and Karnataka coasts on Monday and Tuesday due to the possibility of strong winds and rough sea conditions.

Meteorologists have forecast winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, along the Kerala-Lakshadweep-Karnataka coast until Tuesday. Similar conditions are expected over the sea areas adjoining the north Andhra Pradesh coast, where wind speeds may increase to 45–55 kmph and occasionally touch 65 kmph.

Rough weather conditions are also expected over several other maritime regions, including the Gulf of Mannar, Kanyakumari region, north Tamil Nadu coast, Sri Lankan coast, southern and central Bay of Bengal, Odisha coast, West Bengal coast, adjoining northwestern Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Winds in these regions are likely to reach 40–50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph.

The IMD has further warned of strong winds ranging from 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, over parts of the Arabian Sea, including the Somalia coast, Oman coast, central-west Arabian Sea, adjoining southwest Arabian Sea and central-east Arabian Sea.

Authorities have urged coastal communities, fishermen and shipping operators to closely monitor weather updates and exercise extreme caution until conditions improve.

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

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman