Mocha cyclone to hit soon; Rains to intensify, yellow alert in two districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains are likely to lash the state today. Yellow alert has been sounded in Pathanamthitta and Idukki. Although the extreme low pressure over Bay of Bengal will form into Cyclone Mocha in the next few hours, it will not affect Kerala directly.

64.5 to 115.5 mm of rain is likely to be received in 24 hours. The Central Meteorological Department said rains will continue till Friday. Mocha will move northwestward towards the central-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal till Thursday and then change direction. Cyclone Mocha will cross the central-eastern Bay of Bengal after May 12 and move towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast.

There was heavy rain in various districts yesterday afternoon. Although the cyclone will not directly affect Kerala, there will be heavy rains. Following the summer rains, the flow of water to the reservoirs of the hydropower projects has also increased. Fishermen have been warned to be on alert.

The Meteorological Center informed that will get more summer rains in Kerala by the end of April. Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts are getting less than 80% rain.