Thiruvananthapuram: The IMD on Thursday issued an orange alert forecasting moderate rainfall and strong winds in five central Kerala districts even as floodwaters began receding in several affected areas, officials said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued the three-hour orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts on Thursday morning. Earlier, the IMD had issued orange alerts for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod districts for Thursday. An orange alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts has been issued for Friday. An orange alert indicates the likelihood of rainfall ranging from 115 mm to 204 mm.