Eight districts on yellow alert today

Kochi: IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall for Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta on Monday. Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam will be on yellow alert on Tuesday.IMD has warned that isolated places in the state are expected to witness rain accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speed up to 30-40kmph till Tuesday.Coastal areas are likely to witness sea swell, with wave heights likely to rise from 0.9m to 1.3m till 11.30pm on Monday.IMD warned that squally weather with wind speed 40-50kmph gusting to 60kmph is likely to prevail along and off Kerala and Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep area till Tuesday.Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea during these days.Meanwhile, the shortfall of seasonal rain in Kerala touched 24% on Sunday.