IMD warns of heavy rains in state, seven districts on alert, ban on fishing 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that there is a possibility of heavy rains in the state. In this situation, orange alert has been issued in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. Yellow alert has also been announced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kannur and Kasaragod. Following strong winds and bad weather, the Central Meteorological Department has informed that one should not go to sea from the Kerala coast until further notice.

Heavy rains were received in various parts of the state the other day. Heavy damage was also reported. There was water logging in many districts. Rains battering for hours drowned Kochi, Kozhikode and Thrissur. The Meteorological Center has indicated that heavy rainfall lashing the state for the last five days is likely to subside by Saturday.

Heavy rain will continue today and tomorrow. The heavy rain which was concentrated in South Kerala yesterday spread to all the districts. Due to high waves, fishing is not allowed in Kerala coast. Coastal residents should be alert as there is a possibility of storm surge. There is a possibility of strong thunder and wind in northern districts. Two people lost their lives yesterday in the state due to rain. With this, the death toll in the rains has risen to six.

Meantime, monsoon will arrive early in the state this time. The meteorological department has also warned that there may be heavy rains in the second quarter of August. June and July receive regular or slightly more rainfall. The surface temperature of the Indian Ocean is higher now. This is normalization due to early onset of monsoon.
Monsoons intensifying in August and September is due to the change in the dipole phenomenon in the Indian Ocean. A dipole is an irregular weather phenomenon in the Indian Ocean that occurs when the water surface temperature differs between the eastern tropics and the western tropics.