Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Batter Kerala; Orange Alert Issued For Multiple Districts

Severe weather struck Kerala on Thursday night as torrential rains and fierce winds swept through the state, causing widespread destruction and prolonged power outages, especially across northern districts. Uprooted trees brought down power lines in several areas, plunging many localities into darkness and prompting the government to declare a holiday for all educational institutions in Idukki and Ernakulam districts on Friday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a five-day weather alert, cautioning that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue across various parts of the state. An orange alert—signaling the possibility of intense rainfall—has been declared for Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur on July 25, and for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram on July 26.

Yellow alerts are also in effect for Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on July 25, and for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on July 26. The IMD has warned that isolated areas under the orange alert may experience extremely heavy rainfall of up to 204.4 mm in 24 hours.

Cyclonic System Behind Kerala's Weather Disturbance

Meteorologists have attributed the turbulent conditions to a cyclonic circulation, a remnant of Tropical Cyclone WIPHA, which re-emerged over the northern Bay of Bengal. This disturbance evolved into a low-pressure area early on July 24 and is currently situated over the central northern Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to intensify into a well-marked low-pressure area within the next 24 hours, further fueling rainfall activity across Kerala and the Lakshadweep region.

The associated circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestward with altitude. Strong surface winds of 50–60 kmph are forecast to lash Kerala intermittently from July 24 to July 28, and similar gusts are expected across Lakshadweep from July 24 to July 27.

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