Weather
Kerala yellow alert, fishing ban as widespread rain grips state today
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Kannur, Kozhikode and Wayanad as widespread rain hits Kerala today, with a fishing ban in place along the coast through August 25.
Widespread rain is gripping Kerala today, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a yellow alert for Kannur, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.
The IMD said widespread rain is likely across the state through Sunday, driven by a cyclonic circulation that has formed over the Bay of Bengal and the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Fishing has been banned along Kerala’s coastline and in Lakshadweep, with authorities warning of rough sea conditions and advising against launching or retrieving fishing vessels during the alert period.
The weather department has also flagged the possibility of the Kallakkadal phenomenon, an intense wave activity that can affect low-lying coastal areas even without a storm directly overhead.
Fishermen and coastal residents have been urged to avoid danger areas and follow official instructions, with small boats and yachts told not to launch until conditions improve.
The fishing advisory is in effect through August 25, covering the period during which the state is expected to see continued spells of rain and rough seas.
This weekend’s rain adds to what has otherwise been a slightly below-average monsoon season nationally, with cumulative rainfall through mid-August running about 12 percent below the Long Period Average.
Kerala’s monsoon season typically brings periodic spells of heavy rain and rough sea conditions through the second half of August, with the state’s disaster management authority monitoring rainfall data closely during this period.
The alert has been triggered by a cyclonic circulation that has formed over the Bay of Bengal and the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
The IMD has also flagged the possibility of the Kallakkadal phenomenon, a form of intense wave activity that can affect low-lying coastal areas even without a storm directly overhead.
Fishermen and coastal residents have been advised to avoid danger areas and follow official instructions, with small boats and yachts told not to launch during this period.
Photo by Josephgeorge23, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0