Orange alert issued in several districts as rains to intensify in Kerala; isolated heavy rainfall likely in entire South India

The department also said that isolated heavy rainfall was very likely in South Interior Karnataka from 16 to 20 May, over Coastal Karnataka from 17 to 19 May, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema on 16 May, and Lakshadweep from 19 to 20 May.

Also Read: Southwest Monsoon to reach Kerala around 31 May

Thunderstorms in Andhra

IMD forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in parts of Andhra Pradesh for four days from 17 May.

Parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are expected to receive rainfall.

It also forecast gusty winds up to speeds of 50 km/h.

The mid-summer showers cooled temperatures at some places in the southern state, bringing respite from the heat.

Further, it said the southwest monsoon is very likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea, parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around 19 May.

Orange alert in Kerala

Rains in Kerala are likely to intensify in the next few days as the IMD on Thursday issued an orange alert in several districts of the state from 18 to 20 May.

The orange alert was issued for Palakkad and Malappuram on May 18, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki on 19 May and in seven districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki — for 20 May.

It also said that while an orange alert has been issued in some districts for 20 May, the rainfall would probably be similar to that for the Red alert.

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued a warning to fishermen and asked them not to foray into the southern Kerala coast and Lakshadweep coast. However, it said that the Karnataka coast was safe for fishing.

For Thursday, the IMD issued a yellow alert in nine out of the 14 districts of the state. KSDMA said there were chances of isolated thunderstorms accompanied by winds of 40 km/h to 50 km/h speed.

A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.

This year, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to begin on 31 May in Kerala.

KSDMA said significant rainfall was reported over Kerala from 8. 30 am to 2.30 pm on Thursday. It also issued a waterlogging warning in Thiruvananthapuram.

Also Read: Rains bring relief to Tamil Nadu from scorching summer heat

Rain in Tamil Nadu

In a bulletin, the IMD said Wednesday’s cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Sri Lanka now lay over Comorin area and adjoining South Tamil Nadu coast.

The east-west trough now runs from the cyclonic circulation over Comorin area and the trough from South Interior Karnataka to East Vidarbha has become less marked.

Till 20 May, light to moderate rain is likely at many places of the state with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds of speed reaching 40-50 kmph at one or two places.

For the same period, isolated heavy to very heavy rain with extremely heavy rain at one or two places is likely in southern, central and western parts of the state.

Pattukottai (Thanjavur) received 16 cm rain and Singampunari (Sivaganga) 14 cm and Mannargudi (Tiruvarur) 13 cm during the 24-hour period, that ended at 8.30 am on 16 May.

A number of areas in southern and western Tamil Nadu as well as the Cauvery Delta districts have been receiving rainfall during this week.

Kovilankulam in Virudhunagar district received 8 cm rain, Udumalaipettai in Tiruppur district 6 cm and Kilanilai (Pudukottai) and Thangachimadam (Ramanathapuram) 5 cm each during the 24-hour duration that ended at 8.30 am on 15 May.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with PTI inputs)