Kerala Braces For Heavy Rains Due To Remnants of Cyclone Wipha

Thiruvananthapuram: Monsoon rains are set to intensify across Kerala as the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Wipha, which originated in the western Pacific Ocean, continue to influence weather patterns. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the system, now a weakened cyclonic circulation, is moving towards the Bay of Bengal and could trigger the formation of a fresh low-pressure area within the next 48 hours.

As a result, Kerala is likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till July 27, with strong surface winds also expected to lash the state.

District Alerts in Place

The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts across several districts for the coming days:

Yellow Alert (July 24): Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod

Orange Alert (July 25): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur

Orange Alert (July 26): Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad

Orange Alert (July 27): Kannur, Kasaragod

Additional yellow alerts are in effect for several other districts from July 25 to 27, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Malappuram.

The IMD has also warned of gusty winds ranging from 40-60 kmph over Kerala and Lakshadweep between July 23 and 27.

Rainfall Intensity Forecast

July 23 & July 25-27: Heavy (7-11 cm) to very heavy (12-20 cm) rainfall likely at isolated places.

July 24, 28, 29: Heavy rain expected in a few areas.

Wipha's Global Trail of Impact

Cyclone Wipha, which earlier churned over the western Pacific, made landfall in northern Vietnam on Tuesday, bringing with it destructive winds and torrential rain. The storm had earlier battered the Philippines, leading to at least five deaths and displacing thousands due to flooding and landslides.

Wipha weakened as it moved inland, with wind speeds dropping to 74 km/h upon hitting Vietnam's Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces-down from 100+ km/h over open water.

As Wipha's remnants move towards the Bay of Bengal, Kerala remains on high alert, with disaster management teams on standby.