Rain intensifies in Kerala; alert changed, caution advised in 11 districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised the rain alert in Kerala. The earlier warning for Kollam and Alappuzha districts has been withdrawn and a yellow alert has been issued. With this, 11 districts in the state are now under a yellow alert. An orange alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam for the next two hours. A yellow alert will continue in these districts after that.

A yellow alert had already been issued in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. The alert was extended to Kollam and Alappuzha in addition to these districts.

Meanwhile, the capital Thiruvananthapuram received heavy rain over the past hour. The rain was accompanied by lightning and strong winds. Heavy rain continues in various parts of the city.

The weather department has advised people to remain cautious in districts under a yellow alert as isolated heavy rainfall is likely. People have also been advised to avoid open areas and standing under trees during thunderstorms.

There is also a possibility of the Kallakkadal phenomenon along the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram district. The weather centre has warned of high waves ranging from 0.8 to 1.1 metres.