IMD red alert: Extremely heavy rain to hit Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad on October 25
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert warning of extremely heavy rainfall in three districts of Keralam on Sunday, October 25, and in two districts on Monday, October 26.
Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts are under red alert on Sunday, while Idukki and Palakkad are under red alert on Monday, according to the IMD's latest update.
What the red alert means
A red alert is the highest level in the IMD's colour-coded weather warning system. It signals that action is required: authorities are expected to remain on standby, and residents in vulnerable locations should be ready to move to safety if conditions worsen.
The warning covers some of the state's most rain-sensitive terrain. Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki and Palakkad all include hilly stretches of the Western Ghats, where heavy rain in a short span has in the past triggered landslips and sudden rises in streams.
Disaster management authority issues advisories
In view of the alerts, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) warned that intense rainfall over a short period could trigger flash floods, overflowing streams, waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas, and landslips.
The KSDMA advised people living in landslip-prone hilly areas and flood-prone low-lying regions to move to safer locations if necessary. It also urged people not to cross rivers or enter waterbodies during heavy rain, to avoid non-essential travel, and to stay away from waterfalls and hilly areas until the warnings are withdrawn.
Night travel to hilly areas should be completely avoided, the KSDMA said in a Facebook post, urging the public and government agencies to remain vigilant.
Why October is a wet month for Keralam
October falls in the northeast monsoon season, when moist easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal bring rain to Keralam and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Unlike the southwest monsoon, which sets in over several days in June, northeast monsoon spells can be short and intense, with heavy rain concentrated over a few hours in a limited area. That pattern raises the risk of sudden flooding in low-lying neighbourhoods and of soil giving way on steep, rain-soaked slopes.
Weather officials have repeatedly noted that the heaviest damage during such spells often comes from small, fast-rising streams and from slopes that have absorbed water over successive days. Residents of hilly areas have been asked to watch for warning signs such as cracks in the ground, tilting trees or posts, and muddy or sudden changes in the flow of streams.
What residents should do
People in the districts under alert are advised to follow updates from the IMD and the KSDMA, and to heed instructions from district administrations and local bodies. Those living near riverbanks, on hill slopes or in areas that have flooded before should keep essential documents, medicines and a charged phone within reach, and should not wait until the last moment to relocate if local authorities advise it.
Fishermen and people travelling through hill routes have been asked to check conditions before setting out. The warnings are expected to be reviewed as the IMD updates its forecasts.
