THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heavy rain will continue in the state ahead of the northeast monsoon. Widespread rain is likely today and tomorrow in the central and southern districts. A yellow alert has been issued today for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts. Tomorrow, the yellow alert will be in place from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur districts. The southwest monsoon is expected to withdraw soon, and conditions are favourable for the onset of the northeast monsoon. During these days, rain with thunder and lightning is likely.
Fishing has been banned along the Kerala-Lakshadweep coast today. This year, the northeast monsoon is expected to begin with heavy rain. A cyclonic circulation that has formed early in the season is likely to strengthen into a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea, leading to more intense rain. The circulation currently over the Bay of Bengal is expected to move forward toward the Arabian Sea near the Kerala-South Karnataka coast by Sunday and develop into a low-pressure area. In this situation, the IMD has issued rainfall warnings for various districts in Kerala for the next five days.