Heavy rain forecast for today

Fishermen advised not to put out to sea

Summer showers lashed many parts of the State on Friday, bringing down the mercury level and offering respite to citizens sweltering in the summer heat.

The India Met Department has issued heavy rainfall warning for Kerala on Saturday. A weather bulletin issued by the Met Centre here said heavy rainfall (7- 11cm in 24 hours) was most likely to occur at one or two places in the State till Sunday morning.

The increase in thunderstorm activity is attributed to a trough of low over the Comorin-Maldives area along with an upper air cyclonic circulation.

Squally weather with wind speed occasionally reaching 40-50 kmph has been forecast over the Comorin area and the Maldives on Friday and the Lakshadweep area on Saturday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out to these areas. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds lashed parts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, and Thiruvananthapuram districts on Friday evening.

The maximum temperature fell appreciably in Palakkad district during the 24 hours till Friday noon and it was above normal in Alappuzha district. Palakkad and Vellanikkara recorded the highest maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.

Manjeri in Malappuram registered the highest rainfall of 6 cm.