Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is expected to experience widespread heavy rainfall across the state until October 20. It is expected that the Northeast Monsoon season will begin in the state from Thursday.

Due to the possibility of very heavy rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Kottayam and Idukki districts. On Friday, an orange alert has also been issued for the Ernakulam district.

For Thursday, a yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts. On Friday, all districts except Malappuram will remain under a yellow alert, with heavy rain also expected in Idukki.

A low-pressure area is expected to form over the Arabian Sea by October 19. The IMD said the system is likely to form near Kerala and the southern coast of Karnataka.