Kerala to receive rain in coming days; orange and yellow alerts in various districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of widespread rain in Kerala for the next five days. IMD has announced orange and yellow alerts in various districts and said that there is a possibility of rain with thunder and lightning at isolated places in Kerala on December 11 and 13. Strong winds with a speed of 30 to 40 kmph (maximum 50 kmph) are predicted on December 13.

Indian Meteorological Department has announced an orange alert in Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts on 12th December. Chance of isolated heavy rain is forecast. According to IMD, Very Heavy Rainfall means 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain in 24 hours.

Yellow alert

12/12/2024: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad.

13/12/2024: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kasaragod.

Precautions

Thunderstorms are dangerous. They cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical and communication networks and household appliances connected to electrical conductors. Therefore, the general public should take the following precautions from the time the cloud starts to be seen. Do not hesitate to take this precaution as lightning may not always be visible.

– Immediately move inside a safe building at the first sign of lightning. Staying in open areas increases the risk of being struck by lightning.

- Keep windows and doors closed during strong winds and thunderstorms. Stay away from doors and windows. Stay inside the building and try not to touch the wall or floor as much as possible.

– Unplug household appliances. Avoid proximity to electrical appliances during thunderstorms.

- Avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. It is okay to use a mobile phone. Avoid playing outdoors and on terraces, including children, if the weather is cloudy.

- Do not stand under trees during thunderstorms. Do not park vehicles under trees.

– Stay inside the vehicle during thunderstorms. Don't stick your legs out. You will be safe inside the vehicle. Avoid traveling on vehicles like bicycles, bikes, tractors during thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe building until the thunderstorm ends.

- Do not go to the terrace or yard to take clothes when there is a rainstorm or during a thunderstorm.

– Avoid bathing during thunderstorms. Also avoid collecting water from taps. Electricity from lightning may travel through the pipe.

- Do not go for fishing or bathe in the water when there is a thunderstorm. As soon as you see clouds, you should stop activities like fishing and boating and try to reach the nearest shore immediately. Do not stand on the deck of a boat during a thunderstorm. Baiting and netting should be suspended during thunderstorms.

– Avoid kite flying.

– It is dangerous to sit on a terrace or other high place or on a tree branch during a thunderstorm.

– Domestic animals should not be tethered in the open during this time. Do not go when there is a rain cloud to untie them and tie them back securely. This may cause you to experience lightning strikes.

- If you are in an open place so that you cannot move to a nearby building, keep your feet together and tuck your head and legs between your knees and roll up like a ball.

– Lightning protection conduit can be placed on top of buildings to protect them from lightning. A surge protector can be fitted for the safety of electrical equipment.

- The impact of lightning can cause burns, loss of vision, hearing or heart attack. It should be understood that there is no electric current in the body of a person who has been struck by lightning. So don't hesitate to give first aid to a person who has been struck by lightning. The first thirty seconds of being struck by lightning are the golden moments to save lives. Get medical help immediately to the person who has been struck by lightning.