Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a sequence of orange and yellow alerts for several districts of Kerala, warning of isolated very heavy to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms from October 22 to 25, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said.
District-wise alert schedule
The KSDMA statement set out the district-level alert pattern over the coming days, with orange alerts (very heavy rainfall at isolated places) and yellow alerts (heavy rainfall) across the state.
- On October 22, orange alerts were issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur.
- On October 23, orange alerts covered Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
- On October 24, orange alerts applied to Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.
- On October 25, orange alerts were in force for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
- On October 26, the IMD issued a yellow alert for all 14 districts of the state.
| Date | Alert level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 22 | Orange | Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur |
| Oct 23 | Orange | Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod |
| Oct 24 | Orange | Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad |
| Oct 25 | Orange | Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod |
| Oct 26 | Yellow | All 14 districts |
What the alerts mean
The KSDMA quoted the IMD definitions: an orange alert signals possible isolated very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours, while a yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours. The statement warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds accompanying the downpours.
The authority urged people living in landslide‑prone locations and areas at risk of flash floods to move to safer places as directed by local officials. It also advised residents near riverbanks and downstream of dams to take precautions and relocate where necessary, and to confirm the availability of relief camps through local bodies and revenue officials.
“People in vulnerable areas should contact local bodies and revenue officials to confirm the availability of relief camps and move to safety during daylight hours,” the KSDMA said.
Precautionary measures and warnings
The KSDMA recommended several preparedness steps for residents and authorities in affected districts:
- Avoid unnecessary travel during intense rainfall and refrain from visiting waterfalls, water bodies and hilly areas until warnings are withdrawn.
- Keep emergency kits ready in disaster‑prone localities and be alert to signs of slope movement or flooding.
- Watch for weakened trees, electric poles, hoardings and walls that may collapse in strong winds and report dangerous structures to authorities.
- Move to relief camps during daylight hours as instructed and follow directions from local disaster management and revenue officials.
The present weather pattern follows the IMD’s forecasts of continuing heavy rains in Kerala over the coming days. State and district disaster authorities have been mobilising resources and public messaging to reduce risk to life and property. Residents and travellers are advised to monitor official bulletins and follow advisories from local agencies for updates on river levels, dam releases and evacuation orders.
The alerts underline the heightened risk to low‑lying and slope areas across Kerala, where intense short‑duration rainfall can trigger flash floods and landslides. Authorities and communities are being urged to treat the warnings seriously and to prioritise safety.
