Thiruvananthapuram, 16 July (H.S.) :Kerala is expected to witness isolated spells of rain on Thursday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light to moderate rainfall across the state until Sunday. Despite the continued wet weather, no district has been placed under a yellow, orange or red rain alert for the day.

The weather department has, however, cautioned that strong surface winds with speeds ranging between 30 kmph and 40 kmph may occur at isolated places. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly in areas prone to falling trees, weak structures and localized disruptions caused by gusty winds.

According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation that persisted over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining southern Bangladesh has intensified into a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, close to the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts. The system is expected to strengthen further into a well-marked low-pressure area over the next two days and move northwestwards across northern Odisha and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal.

The influence of this weather system is likely to sustain light to moderate rainfall across Kerala until July 19. While widespread heavy rain is not anticipated at present, intermittent showers are expected in several parts of the state during the period.

Even as rain continues, the IMD has warned that isolated locations in Kerala could experience daytime temperatures that are 4°C to 5°C above the seasonal average, leading to hot and humid conditions in some regions.

The weather department has also issued a warning for fishermen and maritime operators, as strong winds are expected over several adjoining sea areas. Wind speeds of 45 kmph to 55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are likely over parts of the central and northern Arabian Sea, the southwest Arabian Sea near the Somalia and Oman coasts, waters off southern Sri Lanka, the Gulf of Mannar, the Tamil Nadu coast and the Kanyakumari region. Authorities have urged those venturing into the sea to exercise extreme caution and closely follow official weather advisories.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman