Kerala yellow alert: What the IMD warning means

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for parts of Kerala on September 21.

A yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall in the range of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

Kerala could receive heavy showers over the next few days, with thunderstorms at isolated places.

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to see heavy rain.

People are advised to check local bulletins.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh is expected to remain particularly wet, with warnings of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds.

Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, and Telangana.

Tamil Nadu, Rayalaseema and parts of Karnataka may also see thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds.

Winds of 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are expected in the affected regions.

Over the east-central and adjoining north-east Bay of Bengal, winds of 45 to 55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are expected.

Kerala could receive heavy showers over the next few days, and a yellow alert has been issued in parts of the state.

A yellow alert for Kerala indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall in the range of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

Heavy rain is forecast at isolated places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and coastal Odisha, and isolated heavy rainfall is forecast over Chhattisgarh.

In Jharkhand, Ranchi is expected to see one or two rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with a maximum near 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum near 23 degrees.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal where strong winds are forecast.

People in affected areas are advised to avoid open fields, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms and to check local bulletins before travelling.

The wet spell comes as the southwest monsoon enters its withdrawal phase, although active weather continues over southern and eastern India.

Monsoon clouds in Bengal, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0