The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert — very heavy rainfall of 115.6 to 204.4 mm in 24 hours at isolated places — for four Kerala districts: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. Eight more districts are under yellow alert (heavy rain of 64.5 to 115.5 mm): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Only Kasaragod and Kannur are outside the alerts for now.
The weather office warns of a further intensification across northern Kerala today, Friday, Oct. 15, with sudden downpours, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. IMD advises people to avoid sheltering under isolated trees during thunderstorms, stay away from open fields and water bodies when lightning is active, watch for landslides in hilly areas such as Idukki and Wayanad, and expect localized waterlogging in low-lying zones.
Why it matters: The northeast (retreating) monsoon, active October to December, is Kerala's second rain season. If you have family in the alerted districts or travel plans to Kerala, check in with them and follow official IMD bulletins — conditions can shift quickly during this transition.
