The southern districts of Kerala had a respite from the stifling summer heat with moderate to heavy spells of rainfall ushering in cooler weather on Friday.
Several places, including Thiruvananthapuram city, experienced thunderstorm activity triggered by a cyclonic circulation prevailing over the Kanyakumari region.
Most districts can expect light to moderate rainfall over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a thunderstorm warning for the State.
The effect of the cyclonic circulation is likely to persist till Saturday, officials at the IMD centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said. The system is likely to move westward and weaken. At the same time, conditions are now turning favourable for the development of summer rainfall activity over the region.
Parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Alappuzha districts reported rainfall/thunderstorm activity on Friday. The IMD had put Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts on yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall on the day.
No heavy rainfall alert have been issued for Saturday.
Maximum temperature warning
At the same time, the IMD has also issued a maximum temperature warning for the northern parts of the State. The yellow warning indicates that Thrissur and Palakkad districts are likely to experience maximum temperatures of 39°C, Kozhikode 38°C, and Kannur 37°C till April 16. Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kasaragod could experience maximum temperatures 2 to 4 degrees above the normal.
Fishers have been advised not to venture into the sea as squally weather is expected along the Kerala coast till Saturday.