Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall (12-21 cms) in the state till May 28. Fishermen have been asked to keep off the seas till May 30 as high tidal waves have been predicted. The IMD has predicted that thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds was likely to affect Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram and Palakkad districts.
The South West monsoon, as forecast earlier, is expected to arrive on the shores of Kerala on May 29. The heaviest rainfall on Friday was recorded in Vellanikkara and Kunnamkulam (8 cms), both in Thrissur district. The Disaster Management wing of the Revenue Department has discouraged travel to high ranges during night time considering the chances of landslides. District collectors have also been directed to ensure that vehicles are not parked under trees, and tourists are prevented from getting into the sea.
However, the extremely severe cyclonic storm, ‘mekunu’, which had precipitated heavy rains in the state during the last few days, is moving away, and no adverse weather is expected along and off Kerala. The cyclonic formation is now located some 310 kms northeast of Socotra Islands, which is far east to the India Peninsula and near the Yemen and Oman coast. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into Westcentral Arabian Sea on May 26, too.
