THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains are likely to lash the state today. Yellow alert has been sounded in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode.

The Central Meteorological Department has forecast isolated showers in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode in Kerala during the next three hours.

Heavy rains will continue in the state for the next five days. Yellow alert has been declared in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode tomorrow and the next day in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. Fishing has been banned off the coast of Kerala from Wednesday to Friday.