Archive · 6 Aug 2026
IMD issues orange alert for Kerala districts, cautions fishermen
A group of weather scientists called the IMD says it is going to rain a lot in Kerala, a state in India.
They have put out special warnings called alerts so people can be ready.
An orange alert means it may rain very heavily, while a yellow alert means people still need to be careful but less so.
Seven parts of Kerala got an orange alert and the other seven got a yellow alert.
The northern part of Kerala might get the heaviest rain on Friday.
Some schools are closed on Thursday so students stay safe and schools can be used as relief camps.
People who live near the sea are told to stay away from the shore because big waves called Kallakkadal might come.
The waves could be as tall as about 1.4 metres, which is taller than a small child.
People living near hills are asked to be careful because heavy rain can cause landslides.
The rain is not only bad news — it will also help fill up rivers, reservoirs and groundwater after dry days.
IMD issued an orange alert for seven Kerala districts — Kasaragod, Kannur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta — and yellow alerts for the remaining seven, though the article headline says six.
Heavy rain is expected across central and northern Kerala over the next 48 hours from Thursday, with extremely heavy rainfall forecast for northern Kerala on Friday.
Educational institutions in several taluks of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha will remain closed on Thursday, and relief-camp schools in other districts were given a holiday.
INCOIS issued a 'Kallakkadal' (swell surge) warning, with waves of 1.1 to 1.4 metres possible along the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha coasts until 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities urged residents in hilly, landslide-prone areas and fishermen and coastal residents to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel to high-range areas and follow official advisories.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued warnings; district administrations, disaster management authorities, residents and fishermen in Kerala are affected.
- What
- Widespread heavy rain with orange and yellow alerts for Kerala's districts, plus a Kallakkadal (swell surge) warning for parts of the Kerala coast.
- When
- From Thursday, with intensified showers expected over the next 48 hours and extremely heavy rainfall possible in northern Kerala on Friday.
- Where
- Kerala, India — especially central and northern districts, hilly and landslide-prone areas, and the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha coasts.
- Why
- The active southwest monsoon is bringing another spell of widespread rain, prompting precautionary alerts to protect lives and property.
- Weather agency
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Districts under orange alert
- 7 — Kasaragod, Kannur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta
- Districts under yellow alert
- 7
- Extreme rainfall risk
- Northern Kerala, Friday
- Kallakkadal warning issuer
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
- Expected high waves
- 1.1–1.4 metres
- Coastal warning valid until
- 11:30 p.m. Thursday
- School closures
- Thursday, in taluks of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts