Thiruvananthapuram: The districts in Kerala where a red alert has been issued are likely to receive 204.4 mm of rainfall in the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department warned. A red alert has been issued in Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. There is also a possibility of cloudburst in these districts. This may cause landslides and flash floods, it is warned. It has also been advised to completely avoid night trips to the hilly areas. The State Disaster Management Authority has directed the district collectors to set up relief camps in advance in the districts where red and orange alerts have been issued.
The National Oceanographic Research Centre (NORC) has informed us that there is a possibility of high waves of 3.2 to 4.0 meters on the Kannur-Kasargod coast (from Valapattanam to New Mahi and from Kunchathur to Kottakunnu) causing potential threat in coastal areas. The high alert continues on other Kerala coasts as well. Fishing ban continues on the Kerala, Lakshadweep and Karnataka coasts.
The monsoon has arrived and is causing heavy damage in various parts of Kerala. This is the first time in 16 years that the southwest monsoon has arrived earlier than expected. The previous early arrival was on May 23 2009. The monsoon usually arrives in the last days of May or during the start of June. In 2022, the monsoon arrived on May 29, in 2023 on June 8 and in 2024 on May 30. The earliest monsoon arrival in Kerala since 1975 was in 1990, which was on May 19.
The Kerala State Electricity Board's power distribution system suffered severe damage due to strong winds and rain in the state, it is learned.