Thiruvananthapuram,26 June (H.S.): The southwest monsoon is expected to become active once again across Kerala, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rainfall and issuing heavy rain alerts for several districts over the next three days.

While only isolated showers are expected on Friday and no district has been placed under a rain warning, weather conditions are likely to worsen from Saturday. The IMD has issued Yellow Alerts for Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram, warning of heavy rainfall in these northern districts.

The rain is expected to spread across the state on Sunday, prompting the weather department to issue Yellow Alerts for 12 districts. Only Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam have been kept out of the warning list, with the rest of Kerala likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms.

The IMD has further upgraded the alert for Monday, issuing Orange Alerts for Kasaragod and Kannur, where very heavy rainfall is likely. Yellow Alerts will remain in force for Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki districts. The department has warned that isolated areas could receive between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period. Thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds are also expected.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a coastal erosion warning due to the 'Kallakkadal' phenomenon. High waves ranging from 1.3 to 1.5 metres are expected along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, from Kappil to Pozhiyoor, between 5.30 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Saturday.

A similar warning has been issued for the Kanyakumari coast during the same period. Fishermen and people living along coastal areas have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into the sea or vulnerable coastal stretches until conditions improve.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman