Thiruvananthapuram: Summer rain has set in across Kerala, offering much-needed respite from the intense heat. Widespread showers were recorded in central and southern parts of the state on Tuesday, while northern regions saw relatively little rainfall until the evening.

Rainfall is expected to intensify across the state from Thursday onwards, with yellow alerts issued for heavy rain in eight districts on different days.

Heavy rain is forecast in Kannur and Kasaragod on Thursday; in Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Wayanad on Friday; and in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam on Saturday.

Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are likely during the afternoons until Saturday. Rainfall is expected to ease for a few days thereafter, before becoming active again. Further showers are also likely by mid-May.