Heavy rainfall batters Kerala and Tamil Nadu: Red alerts, rising reservoir levels and landslide fears

Dubai: With the early onset of the southwest monsoon, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are bracing for days of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, prompting red alerts, disaster preparedness measures and rising water levels in key reservoirs.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for five districts in Kerala — Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram — forecasting very heavy rainfall between 7cm and 20cm over the next 24 hours.

The rest of the state remains under an orange alert.

A control room has been set up in Meppadi in Wayanad district to coordinate emergency responses, while disaster relief teams are on standby.

The IMD has extended its red alert to 11 districts on Monday, including Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad, indicating the potential for extremely heavy rainfall.

Adding to concerns, the National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) warned of high waves and potential sea erosion.

Waves up to 4.2 metres are expected along the Kerala coast till Monday evening, raising the risk of sea intrusion.

A similar alert has been issued for Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, with waves predicted between 3.0 and 3.6 metres.

Kerala authorities are particularly vigilant following the 2024 monsoon disaster in which at least 250 people died in massive landslides in Wayanad.

In response, the State Disaster Management Authority has deployed SDRF teams and ramped up precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is also experiencing the brunt of the monsoon.

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall till May 28 across multiple districts including Nilgiris, Coimbatore (ghats), Theni, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, and Tiruppur.

The rains are accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph.

The Nilgiris district, already receiving intense rainfall — 11 cm in Avalanche and Pandalur — has been placed under red alert for isolated extremely heavy rainfall on May 25 and 26.

A low-pressure area is likely to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27, which may further intensify rainfall across the southern peninsula.

In Erode district, the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) Reservoir has seen a sharp rise in water levels due to the rains in catchment areas.

As of Sunday morning, the inflow had surged to 4,792 cusecs, pushing the water level to 70.38 feet. Officials expect the inflow to rise further, bringing hope to farmers in Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur who rely on the reservoir for irrigation.

The reservoir’s full level is 105 feet, and its storage has increased to 11.11 tmc ft. Irrigation releases, previously limited due to summer drought conditions, may soon resume if the inflow trend continues.

Authorities in both states have urged residents, especially those in coastal, low-lying, and hilly areas, to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official advisories. With the monsoon system gaining strength, the coming days are critical for disaster preparedness and water management across southern India.