IMD predicts heavy rains in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, 'Orange' and 'Yellow' alerts for many districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in Kerala for the next five days, and an 'Orange' alert has been issued in four districts - Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur. A 'Yellow' alert has been issued for the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts.

In districts with Orange alert, very heavy rain in isolated places has been predicted by the IMD, and could vary from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in the next 24 hours.

Districts with Yellow alert will have rains between 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

The formation of a cyclonic system along the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep is cited as the cause of rains in south India in next few days.

Yellow alert for TN districts

The IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai on Sunday issued a 'Yellow' alert in 17 districts of Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours.

Heavy rains are expected in Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Namakkal, Karur, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi, Kallakurichi, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Perambalur, and Tiruchi districts, it warned.

The RMC also said that heavy to very heavy rains are expected in some locations of Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts in the next 48 hours.

"This is due to cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Arabian sea and adjoining Lakshwadeep area and wind discontinuity over the north interior Tamil Nadu," it said.

"Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea in the next 48 hours," it added.

Light to moderate rains are expected in almost all the districts of the state in the coming days.

Squally weather with wind speed touching 40 to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over the southwest Bay of Bengal along and off the Tamil Nadu coast from Cuddalore to Ramanathapuram and adjoining Sri Lankan coast.