Weather to change across Kerala in next five days; special alert for four districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain in Kerala over the next five days. Yellow alerts have been issued in various districts for today and tomorrow. Today, alerts are in place for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Kannur districts, while for tomorrow, the alerts extend to Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

The forecast indicates the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall. According to the IMD, heavy rainfall refers to precipitation ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours. The department also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds, with speeds reaching 40 to 50 km/h, likely today and tomorrow in isolated parts of Kerala.

The southwest monsoon has already made its onset over parts of the southern Andaman Sea, northern Andaman Sea, southern Bay of Bengal, and Nicobar Islands, the IMD confirmed. In the next three to four days, the monsoon is expected to advance over more regions including the southern Arabian Sea, Maldives, the Comorin area, parts of the southern Bay of Bengal, the entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the remaining areas of the Andaman Sea, and parts of the central Bay of Bengal.

The monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around May 27, according to the IMD. There is a possibility that it could arrive up to four days earlier or later than the predicted date. The normal onset date for the southwest monsoon over Kerala is June 1. Last year, it arrived early on May 30.