Southwest Monsoon reaches Kerala in earliest onset since 2009

Kerala, May 24 :The India Meteorological Department has announced that the monsoon has arrived in Kerala. This is the first time since 2009 that the monsoon has arrived early in the state.  As heavy rain continues across Kerala, red alert has been issued in Kannur and Kasaragod districts today. Orange alert has been issued in 9 districts and yellow alert in 3 districts and in Lakshadweep.

In the wake of the heavy rain warning, restrictions have been imposed in tourist areas in the state. Widespread damage is being reported. Traffic and Power supply is affected in many regions. The IMD has also issued orange alert for heavy rainfall over parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Assam today.