Kerala yellow alert: 7 districts brace for heavy rain from Bay depression
Synopsis
A Bay of Bengal deep depression is set to push Kerala into a multi-day rain spell starting 23 September, with yellow alerts spanning seven districts on Wednesday alone and the risk zone shifting across the state through Friday. Landslide-prone hilly areas and coastal fishermen face the sharpest exposure — and control rooms are already open at the taluk level.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued yellow alerts in seven districts of Kerala for Wednesday, 23 September , including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur , and Kasaragod .
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur on Wednesday night or early Thursday.
The alert zone shifts to northern Kerala on Thursday , covering Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur , and Kasaragod , with winds of 30–40 kmph forecast.
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents in landslide-prone and riverbank areas to be ready to evacuate.
Control rooms have been activated at the taluk level ; a cautionary advisory is in effect for the Kerala, Lakshadweep , and Karnataka coasts .
Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution before venturing into the sea given rough conditions.
Kerala is bracing for a fresh and intensified spell of rainfall beginning Wednesday, 23 September, as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal tracks toward the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast, threatening to amplify south-west monsoon activity across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts in seven districts for Wednesday, with isolated heavy rain spells forecast across both coastal and hilly regions.
Districts Under Alert
The yellow alert on Wednesday covers Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Eastern hilly zones are expected to bear the brunt of particularly intense downpours, and authorities have specifically urged residents in landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and be prepared to relocate if conditions deteriorate.
By Thursday, the alert zone shifts northward, with Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod placed under yellow alert. These districts could experience rain accompanied by strong winds of 30 to 40 kmph. On Friday, yellow alerts are in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, indicating the system's sustained influence over the state through the week.
The Weather System Driving the Rain
The deep depression is expected to cross the coastline between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha around Wednesday night or the early hours of Thursday. According to the IMD, its proximity is likely to reinvigorate south-west monsoon currents over Kerala, sustaining rainfall across successive days. This comes amid a broader pattern of late-season monsoon intensification that has repeatedly tested Kerala's disaster preparedness infrastructure in recent years.
Risks: Waterlogging, Uprooted Trees, Power Disruptions
With rain forecast on consecutive days, authorities have flagged a heightened risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas. Officials have additionally warned of the possibility of trees being uprooted and power lines being damaged during strong wind gusts. A cautionary advisory has been issued for the Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka coasts, citing rough seas and strong winds. Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution before venturing into the sea.
Disaster Management Response
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents living in vulnerable houses, along riverbanks, and in landslide-prone hilly areas to stay alert and move to safer locations if necessary. District administrations and local bodies have been directed to remain on emergency standby, with control rooms opened at the taluk level. Officials have also cautioned the public against circulating unverified information through social media, urging reliance solely on official weather and disaster management advisories. The IMD is expected to issue updated bulletins in the coming hours, and district-level alerts may be revised depending on the movement and intensity of the depression.
Point of View
But the advisory urging people to avoid unverified social media information points to an information ecosystem that consistently outpaces official communication. With the IMD warning of a multi-day rain window and a shifting alert zone, the real test is whether district administrations can sustain coordination across three consecutive high-risk days rather than treating each bulletin as a standalone event.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kerala districts are under yellow alert on 23 September?
Seven districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod — are under IMD yellow alert on Wednesday, 23 September, with isolated heavy rain spells expected. The alert zone shifts to northern districts including Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad from Thursday.
What is causing the heavy rain in Kerala?
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur around Wednesday night, is intensifying south-west monsoon activity over Kerala. Its influence is forecast to sustain widespread rainfall across the state through Friday.
What precautions have authorities advised for Kerala residents?
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged people in vulnerable houses, along riverbanks, and in landslide-prone hilly areas to remain alert and be prepared to move to safer locations. Control rooms have been opened at the taluk level and the public has been advised to follow only official advisories.
Is there a warning for fishermen and coastal areas?
Yes. A cautionary advisory has been issued for the Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka coasts due to rough seas and strong winds. Fishermen have been specifically advised to exercise caution before venturing into the sea during this period.
How long will the heavy rain spell last in Kerala?
According to the IMD, rain is expected to continue on successive days through at least Friday, 25 September, with yellow alerts issued for multiple districts across all three days. The district-wise alerts may be revised as the weather system moves and its intensity evolves.
