INCOIS declares red alert for swell surge across all coastal districts of Kerala

Kerala Event Environment & Climate

INCOIS declares red alert for swell surge across all coastal districts of Kerala

26 September 2026

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) declared a red alert in all coastal districts of Kerala. High waves of 1.0 to 1.5 metres and a strong swell surge (kallakkadal) were likely until 2.30 am on 28 September. Sea water could enter low-lying coastal areas. The India Meteorological Department said fishermen must not go to sea. Special caution was sought on listed stretches, such as Kappil to Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram and Kunjathur to Kottakkunnu in Kasaragod. Alerts were also issued for the Kanyakumari, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli coasts of Tamil Nadu and for Lakshadweep. People were told to avoid beach trips and sea recreation.

Alert level: Red Wave height: 1.0 to 1.5 metres Valid until: 2.30 am, 28 September Issued by: INCOIS

Why it matters for exams: Kallakkadal, INCOIS and coastal hazard warnings are asked in geography and disaster-management papers.

Kerala PSCUPSC

26 September 2026 Source: Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala

In plain words

Kallakkadal Swell surge — Sudden sea swelling and flooding on calm days, caused by swells from distant storms in the southern Indian Ocean.

INCOIS Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services — The Earth Sciences Ministry institution in Hyderabad that issues ocean-state and tsunami warnings.