THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain is likely to lash across the state till January 3, warned the Indian meteorological department. A depression has formed over the Southeast Arabian Sea. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a low pressure moving in a west-northwest direction is likely to strengthen over the central part of the South Arabian Sea and become a strong low pressure in the next 48 hours.

The Meteorological Department has warned that there is a possibility of moderate rain in South Kerala from December 30 to January 3 under the influence of low pressure in the Arabian Sea and easterly winds.

Gusty winds and bad weather conditions with speeds of 40 to 45 kmph are likely over the Kanyakumari coast, adjacent Gulf of Mannar, Maldives region, South East Arabian Sea, adjacent equatorial Indian Ocean, adjacent Lakshadweep and Maldives region.

Meanwhile, IMD did not restrict fishing in the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts.