Heavy Rain Batters Kerala, IMD Issues Orange Alert in Seven Districts

Heavy rainfall continued to lash several parts of Kerala on Friday, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption in normal life, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert across seven districts of the state.

The alert has been sounded in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kasaragod , where weather conditions are expected to remain severe through the day. Continuous showers have already led to flooding in low lying areas , making road travel difficult in many regions.

According to the weather department, the affected districts are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall . Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km per hour have also been forecast, raising concerns over further disruption and possible damage to weak structures and trees.

An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall (11 cm to 20 cm) in a short period. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, especially in regions prone to flooding and landslides.

Local administrations in several districts are monitoring the situation closely as water levels in rivers and canals begin to rise. Emergency response teams have been placed on standby to deal with any untoward incidents, while precautionary measures are being stepped up in coastal and hilly regions.

With the monsoon intensifying over the state, officials have urged people to stay updated with weather warnings and follow safety advisories issued by disaster management authorities. The coming hours are expected to be crucial as heavy rainfall activity continues across central and northern Kerala .