Monsoon fury: Red alert declared in 8 Kerala districts

IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in Kerala, with rivers rising and residents urged to be cautious.

The heavy rainfall that has been lashing Kerala is likely to continue, with the low-pressure system formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast intensifying into a depression on Thursday (May 29, 2025).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for eight districts – Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottyam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on Thursday warning of extreme heavy rains and an orange alert for the remaining districts warning of very heavy rains.

In the wake of rising water levels in major rivers, an orange alert was earlier issued for the Manimala river in Pathanamthitta, Meenachil in Kottayam, Korappuzha in Kozhikode, Achankovil in Pathanamthitta, and Kabani in Wayanad. People living on the banks of these rivers are advised to be cautious against the rising water levels, and they should not enter or cross the rivers under any circumstances, said the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.

Meanwhile, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds continues to lash many parts of the State, especially in central and north Kerala, where normal life has been affected. The State administration so far shifted as many as 1,282 people from 382 families to 51 relief camps opened in various districts.

The automatic weather station in Palakkad recorded strong gusty winds with a speed of 68.5 kmph, followed by Wayanad 66.6 (kmph), Idukki 61.1 (kmph), Thiruvananthapuram 55.5 (kmph), Kannur 53.7 (kmph), Pathanamthitta 53.7 (kmph), Ernakulam 53.7 (kmph), Kasaragod 51.8 (kmph), Thrissur 48.1 (kmph), Kozhikode 48.1 (kmph), Thrissur 48.1 (kmph), Kozhikode 48.1 (kmph), Kottayam 46.3 (kmph), Malappuram 42.5 (kmph), and Alappuzha 42.5 (kmph).

Cheruvanchery in Kannur recorded the highest rainfall of 15 cm during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, followed by Peerumedu in Idukki (13 cm), Vythiri in Wayanad and Peringome in Kannur with 12 cm each, and Kannur, Idukki, Munnar, Vadakara in Kozhikode and Ayyankunnu in Kannur with 11 cm each.