Red alert warning in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu! IMD warns against extremely heavy rains; weather forecast here
Weather today: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are expected to witness extremely heavy rains today. IMD issues a red alert warning for these states and an orange alert for some others. Check IMD's full weather forecast here.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, warning against extremely heavy rainfall on May 26. Southwest monsoon is set to advance into some more parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu in the coming days. In the wake of this weather phenomenon, the weather agency issued a red alert for these three states.
IMD's press release dated May 26 stated, “Isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds speed reaching 40-50 kmph with heavy rainfall at a few places with very heavy & extremely rainfall at isolated places very likely over Tamil Nadu Puducherry & Karaikal on 26th and heavy to very heavy rainfall thereafter during 27th-29th May.”
After the Meteorological Department issued a red alert in 11 districts of Kerala and an orange alert in three, the authorities decided to close educational institutions in Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Wayanad, and Kasargod districts on May 26. All types of educational institutions, including Anganwadis, nurseries, Kendriya Vidyalayas, CBSE and ICSE schools, professional colleges, tuition centres, and madrasas will remain closed today.
The weather agency warned against extremely heavy precipitation in Tamil Nadu on May 26, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph. Furthermore, heavy downpours are expected until May 29.
This comes a day after heavy early monsoon showers battered Kerala on Sunday. Widespread damage from strong winds and rain was reported, as trees were uprooted, houses were inundated, and low-lying areas were flooded across the state.
IMD's orange alert
Meanwhile, IMD's orange alert is in place for Rajasthan, Bihar, East Madhya Pradesh, some parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Amid heatwave alert and predictions of warm night conditions in Rajasthan on May 26 and 27, IMD forecasted the possibility of a dust storm today.
“Thundersquall wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph over… Bihar on 26th; East Madhya Pradesh on 26th, Himachal Pradesh on 27th & 28th; Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema during 27th-29th May,” IMD said in its weather bulletin dated May 25.