The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the south-west Monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala towards this month end. The State  has been receiving sporadic rains  at different places over the past few days, which has brought down temperature considerably. The Met Department has issued orange alert in two districts of the state today. More from our Kochi Correspondent:

“The Met Department has issued Orange alert in Malappuram and Wayand districts, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. It has also issued yellow alerts in 10 other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds with speed reaching up to 50 kmph is very likely to occur in one or two places in the state. Squally weather with wind speed reaching up to  45 kmph is likely to prevail along and off South Kerala coast and Lakshadweep area. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.  As per the latest weather forecast , rains will further  intensify from  Sunday onwards, and more districts are likely to receive very heavy to extremely very heavy rainfall next week.”