Kerala Weather: Red Alert Issued as Cyclone Fengal Bears Down On Kerala Coast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has a significant weather update for Kerala, highlighting the approach of cyclone Fengal. This cyclonic disturbance, now classified as a strong low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu, is anticipated to strengthen and shift towards the Arabian Sea.

It is expected to traverse northern Kerala and Karnataka by December 3, according to the IMD's latest report. Kerala is braced for varying precipitation levels, starting with light to moderate showers across most areas on Monday. Certain isolated regions may experience very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

On Monday, the IMD has escalated its warnings for Kerala, issuing red alerts for five northern districts: Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram. These alerts signify the potential for extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 20 cm within a 24-hour period. Meanwhile, an orange alert has been declared for Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts, indicating very heavy rain expected to fall between 11 cm and 20 cm. Additionally, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta districts are placed under a yellow alert, suggesting heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm.

State Revenue Minister K Rajan has issued a call for heightened vigilance among residents, especially in northern Kerala, as the rainfall is expected to increase in intensity. The IMD's classification of alerts sheds light on the severity of the situation, with a red alert marking extremely heavy rain, orange for very heavy rain, and yellow for heavy rain.

Precautionary Measures and Holiday Declarations

In response to the adverse weather predictions, the district administration in Kasaragod has taken proactive measures by announcing a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, tuition centers, anganwadis, and madrasas, for Tuesday. However, model residential schools will still operate as per usual, the administration noted. Furthermore, similar precautionary closures have been implemented for educational institutions in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, and Wayanad earlier on Monday.

Continued Weather Forecast and Advisory

Looking ahead, the IMD forecasts that heavy to very heavy rain will drench the northern and central regions of Kerala on Tuesday. Over the following five days, intermittent light to moderate rain combined with occasional thunderstorms is expected to continue. This extended period of unsettled weather necessitates ongoing caution and preparedness among the local population and authorities alike.