The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall across Kerala for the next five days, with isolated heavy to extremely heavy showers, as low-pressure systems develop over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
Published May 24, 2025 | 8:13 PM ⚊ Updated May 24, 2025 | 8:26 PM
Rainfall (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The southwest monsoon arrived early in Kerala on May 24, the earliest since 2009, amid ongoing pre-monsoon damage. Authorities are reviewing preparedness as the IMD forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rainfall until May 28, with low-pressure systems brewing over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. A high-level meeting was scheduled to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts
The southwest monsoon made a grand, early entry into Kerala on Saturday, marking its onset on 24 May — a good eight days ahead of its usual arrival date of 1 June.
This marks the earliest onset since 2009, when the rains arrived on 23 May.
As the state welcomed the official start of the monsoon season, it continued to reel under the impact of pre-monsoon showers and gusty winds that have triggered widespread damage across several districts over the past few days.
Amidst this double weather onslaught, authorities have swung into action, with a high-level meeting scheduled for 5 pm on Saturday to assess the damage and review monsoon preparedness.
With a severe low-pressure system brewing in the Arabian Sea and another likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by 27 May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Kerala for the next five days, warning of isolated heavy to extremely heavy downpours till 28 May.
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Saturday, 24 May, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places.
The warning comes as part of a five-day forecast indicating the likelihood of widespread intense rains across Kerala, with several other districts placed under Orange and Yellow alerts.
According to the IMD, extremely heavy rainfall is classified as more than 204.4 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, a condition that poses serious risks of flash floods, waterlogging, landslides, and disruptions to daily life.
The Met Department’s forecast indicates a prolonged period of heavy rainfall across the state:
Red Alerts
24 May : Kannur, Kasaragod
25 May : Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
26 May : Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
Orange Alerts
24 May : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
25 May : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad
26 May : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha
27 May : Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
28 May : Kannur, Kasaragod
Yellow Alerts
27 May : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram
28 May : Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
Extremely Heavy Rainfall (Red Alert): More than 204.4 mm in 24 hours
Very Heavy Rainfall (Orange Alert): 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours
Heavy Rainfall (Yellow Alert): 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours
Authorities have cautioned that extremely heavy rains within short periods could lead to flash floods, waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas, landslides in hilly terrains, and the possibility of accidents on flooded roads and slippery terrain.
Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay clear of water bodies and hilly slopes, and pay close attention to official updates.
KSDMA has urged government agencies and the public to remain on high alert, especially in districts facing Red and Orange alerts, to mitigate potential disasters and ensure timely emergency response.
The threat of kallakadal (swell waves) also exists as the National Institute of Oceanography has informed that there is a possibility of tidal waves reaching heights between 0.5 to 1.9 meters along the Kerala coast, along with the possibility of coastal erosion.
There will also be high waves and subsequent coastal erosion along the Kanyakumari coast. Thus fishing is prohibited along the Kerala coast until the 27th.
With continuous heavy rains lashing the state, the Health Department has issued an alert urging heightened caution against water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
Health Minister Veena George on Friday, 23 May, said specific instructions have been given to hospitals and local bodies to prevent outbreaks of hepatitis A, cholera, diarrhoeal diseases, dengue, and leptospirosis.
Hospitals vulnerable to flooding have been asked to arrange alternative facilities and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines. Relief camps must strictly follow health protocols, including providing only boiled water.
The department also issued clear guidelines for managing jaundice cases, directing that infected individuals should avoid cooking or handling food and maintain strict isolation. Local bodies have been tasked with preparing micro-plans to identify disease hotspots, strengthen source reduction drives, and ensure no clustering of cases.
People have been advised to avoid mosquito bites and destroy breeding sites to prevent dengue. Those stepping into stagnant water are urged to wear protective gear and take doxycycline as a preventive measure against leptospirosis. The public has been reminded to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of fever, diarrhoea, or jaundice appear.
The minister emphasised that climate change-related health risks demand collective caution and swift preventive action.
In the wake of an extremely heavy rain warning, Wayanad District Collector DR Meghashree has ordered the closure of adventure tourism centers, waterfalls, trekking spots, Edakkal Cave, and other tourist destinations located in disaster-prone areas and those adjacent to red zones.
However, tourism centers in safer locations will remain open as usual. As part of disaster preparedness measures, a 24-hour control room has been opened at the Thavinjal Grama Panchayat office.
A system has also been put in place to relay real-time updates from village-level control rooms to the District Emergency Operation Center. The public can contact the control room at 9496048313 and 9496048312 for assistance and information.
At the same time, heavy pre-monsoon showers accompanied by strong winds battered several parts of Kerala on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming multiple lives.
In Kannur’s Peringom, a migrant labourer lost his life after loose earth from a quarry collapsed on him around 5.30 pm.
The deceased, identified as Gopal Varman (33), a native of Assam, was working alongside lorry driver Jithin, who sustained injuries and was admitted to Pariyaram Medical College Hospital. Gopal’s body has been kept at the hospital mortuary.
In the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, heavy rain and gusty winds uprooted trees at multiple locations, including in front of the Reserve Bank of India office and at Altaramoodu.
A Kollam native was seriously injured when a tree fell near the Medical College Police Station and was admitted to the ICU. Traffic disruptions were reported at Greenfield Stadium, Mukkola Junction, and the Ambedkar Road stretch between Panangodu and Venganoor.
The IMD on Friday issued a red alert for Thiruvananthapuram from 8.45 pm, warning of heavy rain and gusty winds reaching up to 50 kmph.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) launched intensive operations to restore power as widespread outages were reported following damage to the electricity network.
Elsewhere, in Kozhikode’s Azhiyur, a man was trapped after a landslide occurred while digging a well. One person was rescued and hospitalised as the fire and rescue team launched an operation. The district administration also temporarily suspended quarrying activities in Kozhikode and Ernakulam due to the adverse weather.
Meanwhile, a body was recovered after a boat capsized in Kodungallur. In Karassery panchayat, strong winds destroyed around 300 banana plants ready for harvest, causing heavy loss to a local farmer.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious as adverse weather conditions continue.
With the monsoon making an early and intense arrival in Kerala, Revenue Minister K Rajan has directed people to remain vigilant and follow weather warnings strictly.
Addressing the media after a review meeting with district collectors at the State Disaster Management Authority office on Saturday, the minister said that preparations are in place to open 3,950 relief camps in case of emergencies.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the monsoon’s onset in the state on May 24 — eight days ahead of schedule and the fastest since 2009.
The minister cautioned that Kerala is likely to face very heavy rains due to a low-pressure system near the Karnataka-Goa coast and another expected formation in the Bay of Bengal by May 27.
Red alerts have been issued in five districts for May 25, while an orange alert is in place for the others.Strong winds have already caused damage in various parts of the state.
Preparations have been made to accommodate over 5.29 lakh people in relief camps.Special arrangements for disease control and the management of displaced wildlife have also been planned.
Funds have been allocated to local bodies and district collectors for emergency equipment and camp facilities. Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are currently stationed in Thrissur, with seven more expected by 1 June.
Minister Rajan also urged residents in vulnerable areas to shift to safer locations when instructed and warned against spreading fake messages on social media.
Officials have been barred from taking leave until June 2. Accurate weather updates will be shared every three hours through official channels, the minister added.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on Friday said that the power distribution system across the state suffered extensive damage due to strong winds and heavy rains.
According to initial estimates, 257 high-tension posts and 2,505 low-tension posts were damaged, with losses in the distribution sector pegged at around Rs 26.89 crore.
As many as 7,12,679 consumers experienced power outages, of which supply has already been restored to 5,39,976 consumers, KSEB informed.
The board said intensive efforts are underway to address the remaining disruptions and urged consumers to cooperate as restoration work continues.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
