THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monsoon is gaining strength in Kerala. Considering the chances for heavy rains in the State, the Met department has declared Orange Alert in Kannur district, where very heavy rain is epxpected.

The Met department has also declared Yellow alert in nine districts in Kerala. They are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kasargod.

The Met department has forecast the chances for strong wind at a speed of 40km/hr. Fishermen have been banned from trawling from Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep sea shores.