Heavy rain lashes Kerala

Heavy rainfall lashed most parts of Kerala bringing low-lying areas under water, especially in northern districts of Kasargod and Kannur.
Though no rain-related casulaty was reported, road traffic movement was affected in some places as swirling waters inundated roads.
The loss caused by the current spell of rains was yet to be quantified, official sources said.
In southern districts, especially the state capital, monsoon picked up since last evening after remaining weak after its onset in the first week of June.
Though there was a huge deficit in rains received in the first month of June the south west monsoon picked up in July bridging the gap considerably.

According to the MeT department, rainfall received by the state fell short by 11 per cent between June 1 to July 30.
The current spell is expected to continue till August 3 with heavy and very heavy rainfall occurring in isolated places, it said.