Five northern districts on red alert today

Kochi: India meteorological department (IMD) issued a red alert for five districts in northern Kerala — Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod — on Saturday. These districts are very likely to witness extreme rainfall with 20cm and above in 24 hours.Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha will be on yellow alert and the remaining districts on orange alert.Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram will be on red alert on Sunday. Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur and Kasaragod will be on orange alert and the remaining districts on yellow alert on Sunday.Squally weather with wind speed 40-50kmph gusting to 60kmph is likely along and off Kerala coast. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till June 9.Kunnathanam in Pathanamthitta recorded 15cm rainfall in the past 24 hours till 8.30am on Friday. The state received 27% excess rainfall in the first five days of the current season, till 8.30am on Friday.