Kerala braces for Monsoon: NDRF deployed in eight districts, Yellow alert issued

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In anticipation of the upcoming Southwest Monsoon, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams across eight vulnerable districts in Kerala to spearhead potential rescue and relief operations.

A total of 240 personnel from the NDRF’s 4th Battalion based in Tamil Nadu have been reassigned to Kerala following a formal request from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The forces have been split into eight 30-member teams, stationed strategically across Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is projected to hit the state on May 26. In the interim, weather officials have warned of isolated heavy rainfall accompanied by severe thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next five days.

A yellow alert has been issued for today in seven southern and central districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, urging residents and local authorities to remain vigilant.