THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain continues to batter the state. Yellow alert has been sounded in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. The Meteorological Center has informed that intermittent heavy rain is also likely to lash the hilly areas of other districts.

Winds are likely to blow at a speed of 40-50 km per hour. The Central Meteorological Department said there is a possibility of moderate rain at isolated places in all the districts of Kerala in the next three hours. Fishing has been banned on the coasts of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep.

The Meteorological Center has warned that heavy rains will continue in the state till December 14. This is due to cyclone Mandous, which made landfall in Tamil Nadu, formed into a cyclone and entered the Southeast Arabian Sea via North Kerala and Karnataka coasts. Rains will reduce by Wednesday as the cyclone strengthens into a low pressure and moves away from the Indian coast.