Thiruvananthapuram | The IMD issued an orange alert for six districts in Kerala, as rainfall was reported across the state on Sunday, officials said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued a yellow alert for eight other districts.
The districts that were given an orange alert are Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, according to a statement issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
A yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram on Sunday.
Orange alerts have also been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod on June 29; Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod on June 30; and Kannur and Kasaragod on July 1, the statement said.
An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall of 115.6-204.4 mm in 24 hours.
For June 29, the yellow alert covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.
On June 30, yellow alerts were issued for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram; on July 1, for Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad; and on July 2, for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
The IMD said a yellow alert indicates the likelihood of heavy rainfall of 64.5-115.5 mm in 24 hours.
KSDMA advised people living in areas prone to landslides, mudslides, and flash floods, as well as those residing along riverbanks and downstream of dams, to move to safer places if instructed by authorities.
It also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, to stay away from rivers, waterfalls and other water bodies, refrain from crossing flooded areas, and avoid hill stations and other vulnerable locations until the weather improves.
The KSDMA said that district and taluk control rooms are functioning round the clock, and people can contact the toll-free emergency numbers 1077 and 1070 for assistance.