Kerala Braces for Intensified Monsoon Rains, Red Alerts Issued for nine โคDams
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Thiruvananthapuram – Kerala is preparing โฃfor a significantโ escalation in monsoon rainfall as a low-pressure system developsโ over the Bay of Bengal,โ expected to strengthen by Monday. โขThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued heavy precipitation across the state through August 20,prompting โขauthorities to issue alerts and prepare for potential disruptions.
District-Level alertsโข andโค Rainfall Expectations
As โofโค Sunday, an orangeโฃ alert-indicating very โheavy rainfall between 115.6 mm andโข 204.4 mm within a 24-hourโข period-is in effect for Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. Seven additionalโ districts – Ernakulam, โIdukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Kozhikode – are underโฃ a yellow alert, โsignifyingโข heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mmโ to 115.5 mm within the same timeframe. โ Theโ IMDS colour-coded warning system is designed to โขprovide โclear andโค actionable data to the public.
The central and northern regions of Kerala have already experienced significant rainfall andโค strong windsโ since Thursday, resulting in uprooted trees and property damage. Tragically, a woman in Kozhikode’s Vadakara โขwasโ electrocuted Saturday after a โขfallen tree severed a power line.
Damโ Safety and water Management
Rising water levels in reservoirs have prompted authoritiesโ to open the shutters of several dams.โฃ A red alert-the highest level of warning-has โฃbeen issued for nine dams:โข Kakki and Moozhiyar (Pathanamthitta district), โฃMattupetty, Kallarkutty, Erattayar, and Lower Periyar (Idukki district),โ Sholayar and Peringalkuthu (Thrissur district), and Banasurasagar (Wayanad district).
two shutters โof the Kakkiโฃ reservoir in Pathanamthitta โฃdistrict โขwere opened Sunday to manage water outflow. Furthermore, the Meenkara, Chuliyar, and Walayar dams in Palakkad district have reached “third stage โคalert” status, โindicating criticalโ water levels.
Did You Know? Red alerts for dams signify that water levels are nearing capacity and controlled releases areโ necessary to โprevent catastrophic failure andโข downstreamโฃ flooding.
Coastal Warnings and Fishing Restrictions
The IMD has issued a stern warning โขto fisherfolk, anticipating strong winds reaching speeds of up to 65โฃ kmph over the arabian Sea. Consequently,โข fishing activities have been prohibited along theโ coastsโ of Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep until Monday toโข ensure the safety ofโฃ those at โขsea.
Pro Tip: Alwaysโ heed warnings from โขthe IMD and local authorities during โmonsoon season. stay updated on weather forecasts โand โavoid unneeded travel to vulnerable areas.
What measures areโข being taken to ensureโ the โsafety of residents in low-lying areas? How can individuals prepare their homes โฃand families for potential flooding?
| District | Alert Level (August 17, 2025) | Rainfall Expectation (24 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Wayanad | Orange | 115.6โ mm – 204.4 mm |
| Kannur | Orange | 115.6 mmโ – 204.4 mm |
| Kasaragod | Orange | 115.6 โขmm – โ204.4 mm |
| Ernakulam | Yellow | 64.5 mm – โ115.5 mm |
| Idukki | Yellow | 64.5 mmโ – โข115.5 mm |
Kerala’s monsoon season, typicallyโข lasting from June โคto September, is โvital for the state’s agriculture โฃand โฃwater โresources.โ Though, it โคalso brings the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly โฃin hilly regions. โ Effective disaster management strategies, including early warning systems andโ evacuation plans, are crucial for mitigating the impactโ of heavy rainfall. The increasing frequency of โextreme weather events underscores the importance of climate resilience and enduring land useโค practices.
Frequently Askedโ Questions About Kerala Monsoon
- what causes the intensified rainfall โinโ Kerala? The intensifiedโ rainfallโค is dueโ to a low-pressure area formingโ over the Bay of โฃBengal, strengthening theโ monsoon currents.
- What does an orange alert signify? An orange alert indicates very heavy โrainfall, rangingโข from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.
- Are thereโ specific safetyโ precautions to take during heavy โrainfall? Avoid travel to vulnerable areas, secure loose โขobjects, โand stay informed about weather updates.
- What is the significance of dam alerts? Damโ alerts indicate rising water levels and potential releases, โrequiringโฃ downstream communities to be vigilant.
- Whereโ can I findโค the latest weather updates for Kerala? The India Meteorologicalโ Department โฃ(IMD) website (https://www.imd.gov.in/) providesโ the most up-to-date information.
We hope this information helps you โstay safe and prepared during this period of heavy rainfall.Please share this article with your friends and family in Kerala, and stay tuned to world-today-news.com for further โขupdates. Your comments and feedback are always welcome!