With heavy rain continuing in parts of Kerala, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in seven districts on Saturday, warning of very heavy rainfall. Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts were put on orange alert while the remaining districts have been placed on a yellow alert.

According to a weather bulletin issued by the IMD on Friday, an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over the south Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over the coastal areas of Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours.

Since strong westerlies and northwesterlies are prevailing over Kerala and Lakshadweep in the lower tropospheric levels, the heavy rain that had been lashing parts of the State for the past few days is likely to continue for a couple of more days. Meanwhile, Kumarakom recorded very heavy rain of 14 cm during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, followed by Vaikkom with 13 cm, and Kottayam and Cherthala with 9 cm each.