Thiruvanandapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Kerala today. This follows an update from yesterday, where the IMD raised the alert level in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam from orange to red, anticipating extremely heavy rainfall in these areas.

Kerala Rains: Key Updates
Fatalities: Four people have died in various rain-related incidents across Kerala, as reported by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).

Red Alert: The IMD has issued a red alert for Kerala, warning of heavy showers today, Thursday, May 23.

Cyclonic Circulation: According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation over south Kerala at lower and middle atmospheric levels is influencing the current weather conditions.

Weather Forecast: The IMD predicts thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana until May 27.

District Alerts: A red alert has been issued for two districts today, with five other districts on orange alert. Yesterday, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were upgraded to red alert for heavy rainfall. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad remain on orange alert, while Kannur and Kasaragod are on yellow alert.

Weather Bulletin: The IMD's bulletin indicates isolated heavy rainfall over Coastal and South Interior Karnataka on May 22 and 23, Lakshadweep on May 23, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on May 24, and Kerala on May 24 and 25.

Flooding in Cochin: Parts of Cochin City Corporation in Ernakulam district experienced flooding due to intense rainfall on Wednesday evening, leading to submerged homes and key roadways in Kochi, and low-lying areas of Thrissur city also faced flooding.

Sea Warnings: The KSDMA has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea due to expected strong winds and adverse weather conditions. High waves ranging from 0.4 to 3.3 meters are forecasted along the Kerala coast from Vizhinjam in the south to Kasaragod in the north until Thursday night.

State Control Room: Health Minister Veena George announced the opening of a state control room in the Health Department Directorate to manage the situation due to the continuous heavy rains.

Heatwave Alerts: Additionally, the IMD has issued a red alert for heatwaves in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, while rains are predicted to lash Kerala.

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