Orange Alert in 3 Kerala Districts: Heavy Rain with Strong Winds Expected

["The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Idukki, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds gusting up to 50 km\/h within the next three hours. Residents in hilly areas are urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and to stay away from rivers and streams that may rise rapidly.","Yellow alerts remain active across Ernakulam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod for a five-day period, indicating moderate heavy rainfall is likely but without the severe warning attached to the orange category. Schools in the orange-alert districts have been advised to assess conditions before opening, with many already announcing holiday.","The IMD notes this early pre-monsoon rain is bringing welcome relief from the intense summer heat that had pushed daytime temperatures above 38\u00b0C in several plains districts over the past two weeks. Kochi recorded 34.2mm of rainfall overnight, significantly cooling the city. Farmers in paddy-growing regions of Kuttanad are advised to monitor water levels.","National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been put on standby in Wayanad following the district's devastating 2024 landslides, with authorities taking no chances during any period of intense rainfall. Citizens can report emergencies to the Kerala State Emergency Operations Centre at 1077 or the district disaster management cell."]