Hero Image

IMD predicts heavy rain in Kerala, orange alert in Idukki

KOCHI: With conditions becoming favourable for the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala , the IMD has issued orange alert for Idukki district and predicted very heavy rainfall of up to 20cm on Saturday. This is the first orange alert in the state this season.


The Met department said the southwest monsoon has advanced into the Maldives-Comorin area.

With the formation of a low-pressure area over southeast & adjoining east central Arabian Sea during May 31-June 4, most of Kerala would get heavy rainfall.

While Idukki is on orange alert, all other districts except Palakkad and Wayanad are on yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall of 7-11cm. There is warning that thunderstorms accompanied with gusty winds (speed reaching 40 to 50kmph) are likely to hit at one or two places in Kerala & Mahe from May 30-June 1.

With the monsoon activity increasing in the sea and landward, attention moves to the dams and reservoirs storage level. According to officials, the present storage level in Idukki dam is at 54.1%. The Ernakulam district disaster management authority informed that three shutters of Bhoothathankettu dam have been raised by 150cm on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Idukki district administration has issued orders to raise one shutter of Pambla dam by 10cm on Saturday from 10am releasing 15cumecs of water. As of now the water level is at 248.2m and the maximum level is 253m. Similarly, one shutter of Kallarkutty dam will be raised by 10cm to release 10cumecs of water.

Officials have warned people not to get into the Periyar and Muthirappuzhayar rivers for bathing as there will be a surge in the water levels.

READ ON APP