Thiruvananthapuram: A red alert warning has been issued in three districts of Kerala for extremely heavy rain that is likely to occur in many parts of the state from Thursday to Saturday.  According to the Indian Meteorological Department,  the red alert has been issued in Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad districts. 

According to reports, depression is likely to be formed near Sri Lanka and southeast region of the Arabian Sea by Friday. As the low-pressure system could intensify into a cyclone, it has been decided to take precautionary measures on a war footing. Directions have been given to the district collectors.

The state disaster management authority has decided to take necessary precautions and warn the public. The central forces are asked to be prepared. Five additional teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will be deployed in Kerala because of hostile conditions.

Met Centre has predicted that heavy (7-11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12-20 cm in 24 hours) rainfall is likely to occur in 1 or 2 places in Kerala on October 3 to October 6. Extremely heavy rain (21 cm and above in 24 hours) is likely to occur in 1 or 2 places on October 7.

The government has told fishermen not to venture into the sea after October 5 following warning of a cyclone by the meteorological department, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday.