Heavy rain likely in Kerala till August 5; red alert in nine districts, tourist activities suspended in Pathanamthitta

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the coastal trough extending from the south Gujarat coast to the Kerala coast continues to remain active, while a well-marked low-pressure area lies over southeast Rajasthan.

According to the IMD, the system is likely to move west-northwestwards across southern Rajasthan over the next 24 hours and gradually weaken into a low-pressure area. Owing to these weather systems, Kerala is likely to receive heavy rainfall from August 1 to 5.

Meanwhile, tourist activities have been suspended in Pathanamthitta as heavy rain continues to lash the district. However, the pilgrimage to Sabarimala will continue without interruption.

Waterlogging has been reported in several areas of Kozhencherry and Aranmula, and authorities are evacuating people stranded in the affected locations. Pathanamthitta remains under a red alert.

Apart from Pathanamthitta, the IMD has issued a red alert for Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, warning of the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall.

The IMD defines extremely heavy rainfall as rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours.