The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kollam districts in Kerala. A red alert for severe rainfall has been declared for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alapuzha, and Idukki districts until Tuesday. Additionally, the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad have received yellow alerts for rainfall today.
IMD reports indicate that up to 28 mm of rainfall was recorded in the last six hours and up to 100 mm in the past 24 hours over several watersheds and neighborhoods in Kerala, Mahe, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Karaikal Met subdivisions. The IMD has also warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in these regions.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is experiencing waterlogging due to continuous rainfall since May 18. IMD forecasts predict rainfall in the district will continue for the next two days, with amounts ranging from 6 mm to 20 mm. Homes in low-lying areas are flooded, and overflowing canals have led to a flood-like situation in various parts of the district.
Last week, the IMD released data indicating that the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala on May 31. “Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 31,” stated the IMD. The onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala signifies a critical transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season. As the monsoon advances northward, regions will experience relief from the scorching summer temperatures.