Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is likely to witness more rainfall on Friday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.
A Yellow alert has been issued in all the districts of the State indicating heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.
Four casualties in heavy rains
Four persons including three children died in separate incidents during the heavy rains which battered Kerala on Thursday.
Mohammad Muzammil, 9, son of Shajir of Puliyanchery died after falling in a canal in Kozhikode district's Koyilandy. In another incident, Adithyan, 17, son of Sajeevan drowned while taking a bath in a pond in Muppathadam in Aluva.
Two persons including an eight month old baby died after the car in which they were travelling lost control and fell into a gorge in Gap Road in Devikulam. The infant's father Naushad,32, also died in the accident. Seven persons who sustained serious injuries were admitted to a local hospital.
More than 21 houses were damaged in rains across the state. As of now 330 people from 99 families who were shifted from rain affected areas, have been lodged in relief camps. The government has arranged 3,071 relief camps across the state which can house 4,23,080 people.
In view of the incessant rains and the impending monsoon, revenue minister K Rajan has directed revenue officials who are on leave to report to their respective offices at the earliest. A control room has been set up at the revenue minister's office with the contact number - 8078548538. The revenue department's state control number is 0471-2333198.
Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD)has predicted isolated rains with thunder showers till Monday. The IMD has sounded a yellow alert for Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts on Friday.
The restrictions imposed on fishermen from venturing into the sea will continue. Strong winds up to 60 km per hour are likely to hit Kerala coast on Friday.
The road traffic on Kumily - Munnar state highway was disrupted after trees which got uprooted in heavy rains fell on the road.
Many places in Kochi city are experiencing water logging following heavy rains. Flood water entered more than 60 houses in Kalamassery area.
With the rains gaining strength in catchment areas, 15 shutters of Bhoothathankettu Barrage were lifted on Thursday.
Southwest monsoon expected to reach Kerala early next week
After an early arrival over Andaman & Nicobar islands, south-west monsoon is racing towards the mainland with the weather office forecasting onset over Kerala by the middle of next week.
Conditions will continue to be favourable for further progress leading to onset of Southwest Monsoon over Kerala towards end of the week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday evening.
If the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala happens this weekend, it will be the earliest onset in recent years. Monsoon had reached Kerala on May 23 in 2009.
Earlier, the weather office had forecast the onset of monsoon over Kerala by May 27, five days ahead of the normal onset date of June 1.
Due to strong westerly flow from Arabian Sea and trough over south Peninsula India, light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall activity likely over southwest Peninsular India and isolated to scattered rainfall over rest peninsular India, the weather office said.
It said isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka during many days of the week.
Several parts of Kerala, Mahe, adjoining Karnataka and Lakshadweep have received fairly widespread to widespread rainfall/thunderstorm activity for four to five days during the week.
