Thiruvananthapuram, 13 August (H.S.): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its rainfall warning for Kerala, predicting an increase in rain across several districts on Thursday and Friday.

Yellow alerts have been issued for eight districts — Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod — on Thursday. On Friday, the alert will remain in force in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

The weather agency has forecast isolated heavy rainfall in the districts placed under alert. Heavy rainfall refers to precipitation ranging between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm within 24 hours.

Residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant, particularly in places that have experienced waterlogging, flooding or landslides during previous spells of rain. Local authorities are also expected to monitor the situation and take precautionary measures wherever necessary.

The renewed spell of rain is associated with a weather system over eastern India. A low-pressure area that had formed over West Bengal, Bangladesh and the northwestern Bay of Bengal has intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area over the West Bengal coast.

The system is likely to move across Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours. Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places across Kerala over the next five days.

The IMD said isolated locations in the State could receive heavy rain on Thursday and Friday. Thunderstorms and gusty winds may also occur in some areas during this period.

Despite the rainfall forecast, the IMD has not issued any warning restricting fishing activities along the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts on Thursday. Fishermen may venture into the sea, though they have been advised to remain attentive to changes in local weather and sea conditions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman