Early Arrival : Monsoon Hits Kerala Ahead Of Schedule ; Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan Says Government Will Be On Alert

Heavy rains and strong winds caused damage to homes and crops, power outages and waterlogging on roads in Kerala as the monsoons arrived early in the state.

Uprooted trees and broken branches damaged homes and vehicles in various parts of the state and dislodged electricity poles caused power disruptions in several areas.

PTI has reported that Roads were waterlogged in many rural and urban areas of the state as heavy rains continued to lash the state throughout the day.

Revenue Minister K Rajan said some places might receive huge rains in a short period of time without any warning, leading to flash floods and landslides.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the early onset of monsoons in the state. It said that the state sees early arrival of monsoon after a gap of 16 years.

According to the IMD, the monsoon arrived eight days earlier than usual and the last time this happened was on May 23, 2009.

Prior to that, early onset of monsoon was seen on May 19, 1990, after 1975, it said.

The IMD further said that with the arrival of the monsoon, heavy rains are expected to continue across Kerala and it sounded red and orange alerts in several districts of the state for the next few days.

It issued a red alert in Kannur and Kasaragod districts and an orange alert in the remaining 12 districts of the state for the day.

Besides that, it issued a red alert in 5 districts and an orange alert in 9 districts for Sunday.

For Monday, it sounded a red alert in 11 districts of Kerala and an orange alert in the remaining three.

In view of the monsoon arrival and the red alerts issued by the IMD, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government will be on alert for the next one week in the prevailing situation.