THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monsoon has arrived in Kerala a day before than expected. It is likely to last till September. The state is likely to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days. It is believed that the state will receive an additional rainfall of 6 per cent this year.

The arrival of Monsoon on the Kerala coast was confirmed by yesterday afternoon. It was expected to hit the state today. Ayyankunnu in Kannur received 80 mm of rain in two hours. It rained widely in Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. However, except for Alappuzha, it did not rain much in the southern districts yesterday. The rain was less heavy in the hilly areas as well.

Along with the monsoon, a cyclonic circulation also formed in the Southeast Arabian Sea. Due to its influence, the state will receive widespread rains in the next five days. The strength of rain will increase in central and northern districts. Fishermen have been advised not to go fishing due to the possibility of high tides.

Yellow alert
A yellow alert has been issued to all districts except Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam today and tomorrow.

40% additional rain in summer
The summer season ended after providing 40 per cent additional rain this year. During the summer, the state received a total of 485.7 mm of rain instead of the expected 347.1 mm. Alappuzha (92%), Ernakulam (74%), Kottayam (88%), and Thiruvananthapuram (82%) received excess rain.