Thiruvananthapuram: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed the arrival of the northeast monsoon in Kerala, with widespread rainfall expected across the state until October 21.

The northeast monsoon has set in over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe, the IMD said.

A low-pressure system is expected to form over the Arabian Sea near the Kerala coast by October 19.

Due to the possibility of heavy rain, an orange alert has been issued for Ernakulam district on Friday, while yellow alerts have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Thrissur districts.

The monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture sector, which supports the livelihood of around 42 per cent of the population and contributes 18.2 per cent to the GDP.

It also plays a key role in replenishing reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation.