Fri May 30 10:17:59 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the Kerala rainfall event:

**Kerala on High Alert as Heavy Rains Trigger Red Alerts Across Eight Districts**

**Thiruvananthapuram, May 30, 2025** – Kerala is bracing for potentially severe flooding as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in eight districts on Friday. The updated alert, issued at 1 p.m. by the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, covers Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kasaragod. These districts are expected to receive over 20 cm of rainfall within 24 hours.

The remaining six districts of Kerala are under an orange alert, indicating isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. Earlier in the day, only Kannur, Kasaragod, and Idukki were under red alert. The Lakshadweep Islands are also on yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall.

The IMD predicts a tapering off of rainfall in most districts after Saturday, May 31st, with only isolated heavy rainfall expected across all 14 districts. However, some northern districts are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall until at least June 3rd.

Over the past week, Kerala and the Mahe region have experienced “large excess” rainfall, with 287.1 mm recorded against a normal of 52.1 mm, representing a staggering 451% departure. The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 24th, ahead of its usual date of June 1st. The IMD confirmed that all districts in Kerala, as well as Lakshadweep and Mahe, have received “large excess” rainfall.

Meanwhile, a deep depression previously over West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts is expected to weaken into a depression within the next 12 hours and further into a well-marked low-pressure area in the subsequent 24 hours.

Fire and Rescue Services are currently evacuating families affected by flooding in areas near Thavakkara in Kannur. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed official warnings.

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