Thiruvananthapuram, 29 July (H.S.):The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain across Kerala over the next few days under the influence of an extremely severe low-pressure system, with heavy rainfall expected to continue until Saturday.

As a precautionary measure, the IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for seven districts on Wednesday—Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

The weather department has also announced district-wise alerts for the coming days. On Thursday, Yellow Alerts will remain in force for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. On Friday, the alert has been extended to Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. On Saturday, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod will remain under Yellow Alert.

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall refers to precipitation ranging between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm within a 24-hour period.

The weather system responsible for the rain is currently positioned over north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal. The IMD said the low-pressure area is expected to move west-northwestwards over north Odisha, southern Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hours. Its influence is likely to trigger widespread rainfall across Kerala.

The IMD has also warned of strong winds across the State. Isolated places may experience winds of 30-40 kmph until Thursday, while wind speeds are likely to increase to 40-50 kmph between July 30 and August 1.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a sea incursion warning due to the Kallakkadal phenomenon. High waves ranging from 1.0 to 1.3 metres are likely to affect coastal stretches from Kappil to Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappad to Edava in Kollam, and Chellanam to Azhikkal Jetty in Alappuzha, raising the possibility of coastal inundation. Coastal residents and fishermen have been advised to remain cautious and follow official advisories.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman