KERALA: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is strengthening over Kerala, with widespread rain and thundershowers expected through July 21, 2025. Orange and yellow alerts are issued for several districts.
Orange Alerts (very heavy rainfall: 115โ204โฏmm in 24โฏhrs):
- July 17: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
- July 18: Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
- July 19: Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
Yellow Alerts (heavy rainfall: 64โ115โฏmm in 24โฏhrs):
- July 17: Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad
- July 18: Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram
- July 19: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad
Strong surface winds (40โ50โฏkm/h intermittently) are expected until Julyโฏ19, with gusts raising marine conditions to squally. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts until July 19. Kerala is in the high-alert phase of monsoon, with extreme rain events particularly across the north Malabar region (Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode) from July 18โ20. Central and southern districts face prolonged heavy rain and strong winds. This poses flood, landslide, and infrastructure risks. The heavy rains and intense systems are driven by cyclonic/depression systems (e.g., from Southeast Uttar Pradesh) and persistent strong westerlies, bringing moisture into Kerala. An upper-air cyclonic circulation over northeastern Karnataka also supports these conditions.