Thiruvananthapuram, 20 Oct (H.S.): Heavy rain is likely to continue across Kerala over the next four days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, issuing yellow alerts for several districts and warning fishermen against venturing into the sea on October 22 and 23.

On Tuesday, October 20, yellow alerts cover Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki. The forecast indicates the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall rather than widespread heavy rain across all locations in these districts.

Wednesday’s warning extends to 10 districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.

On Thursday, yellow alerts will be in force in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur. Friday’s alerts cover Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur.

The IMD classifies rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours as heavy rain. The district warnings therefore concern the possibility of rainfall reaching this range at isolated places during the respective forecast periods.

The department said there was no restriction on fishing along the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts on Tuesday. However, fishermen have been advised against venturing into these waters on Thursday and Friday because of strong winds and rough weather.

Wind speeds could reach 35–45 kmph, occasionally gusting to 55 kmph, along these coasts on both days.

Separately, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued a swell-surge advisory for the Thiruvananthapuram coastline between Kappil and Pozhiyoor, valid until 8.30 am on Tuesday.

The advisory warned of waves measuring 0.8–1.3 metres and possible coastal inundation associated with the “kallakkadal” phenomenon.

A similar advisory for the Kanyakumari coast forecast waves measuring 1.2–1.4 metres until the same time on Tuesday morning.

Fishermen and coastal residents were urged to remain vigilant against possible sea incursions in vulnerable stretches covered by the swell-surge advisories during their validity period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman