Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rainfall across Kerala from Friday under the influence of a cyclonic circulation located near the equatorial region over the Bay of Bengal.

Due to the influence of the cyclonic circulation, southern Tamil Nadu is expected to receive heavier rainfall. Weather conditions are likely to change as the system moves towards Sri Lanka by Friday. In Kerala, the IMD said higher rainfall is likely in the central and southern districts.

A yellow alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts on Saturday (January 10), with the IMD warning of isolated heavy rainfall in these areas. Rainfall in the range of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm is likely.

The weather department has also issued a warning to fishermen, stating that on January 9, strong winds with speeds of 35 to 45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph at times, along with rough sea conditions, are likely over the southwest Bay of Bengal, west-central Bay of Bengal, southeast Bay of Bengal, the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar and the Kanyakumari region.