THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The southern districts of Kerala state received heavy rains as the monsoon intensified. The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rains in the coming days as well. An orange alert has been sounded in three districts as there is a possibility of heavy rains, including tonight. Orange alert has been declared in Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Idukki districts. Yellow alert has been sounded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts today. Yellow alert has been declared in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad districts tomorrow. The rain is likely to continue till Tuesday. A thunderstorm alert has been issued in the state.

Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed many parts of Kerala state today. One death was also reported. Shyamala Uthaman (58) of Harippad died after being struck by lightning while on duty. She was a worker at the State Seed Farm, Veeyapuram. Water entered Anganwadi and houses in Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram. Houses and vehicles were damaged at Chathamangalam in Kozhikode after a tree fell on them due to strong winds and rain.

Heavy rains are continuing in Ernakulam as well. Trees were uprooted at two places in Thrikkakkara. Shade trees near Kakkanad PWD rest house and near Kuzhikala temple were uprooted.