Kerala issues weather alerts during Onam as flower cultivation rises

Kerala is facing intensified rainfall from August 23 to 25, coinciding with the Onam festival period. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has issued yellow alerts for nine districts, warning of potential landslides, flash floods, and strong winds in hilly and low-lying areas.

Yellow alerts are in effect for Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on August 23, followed by Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Kottayam on August 24. The weather shift is attributed to a cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal.

Despite initial rain damage to crops, flower cultivation in the state has seen a significant increase in acreage, rising from 724.13 hectares in 2025 to 1,217 hectares this year. While the harvest may not fully meet the high demand for Onam due to inclement weather and delayed flowering, initiatives by the agriculture department and Kudumbashree have expanded the scale of local production.