IMD Issues Red Alert for Five Districts in Kerala Following Heavy Rainfall Forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall across five districts in Kerala for Sunday and Monday, October 25 and 26, according to the latest official updates.

Under the current forecast, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts are placed under a red alert for October 25. Meanwhile, Idukki and Palakkad are scheduled to come under a red alert on October 26.

In addition to the red alerts, the IMD issued an orange alert for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod for Saturday. This indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. Furthermore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam have been placed under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall.

The IMD classifies rainfall thresholds into distinct categories. Extremely heavy rainfall is defined as precipitation exceeding 204.4 mm in a 24-hour period. Very heavy rainfall ranges from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm, while heavy rainfall is measured between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm during the same duration.

Following the meteorological warnings, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) cautioned that intense rainfall over a short period could trigger flash floods, overflowing streams, waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas, as well as landslides and landslips.

The KSDMA has advised individuals residing in landslide-prone hilly areas and flood-prone low-lying regions to relocate to safer locations if necessary. Authorities have also urged the public to refrain from crossing rivers or entering water bodies during heavy rain.

Additional safety advisories include avoiding non-essential travel, staying away from waterfalls and hilly terrain until warnings are officially withdrawn, and completely avoiding night travel to hilly areas. Both the public and government agencies have been urged to maintain vigilance during this weather event.

"Severe weather events and natural calamities present significant operational challenges for businesses, supply chains, and local commerce in affected regions. For enterprises operating in areas prone to heavy rainfall and landslides, prioritizing employee safety and implementing business continuity plans is essential. Proactive risk management and strict adherence to administrative advisories help mitigate disruptions during critical weather alerts." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes