The southwest monsoon has become active over Kerala with heavy rains lashing the southern state. Widespread rains are likely to continue in the state in the next five days, Dr K Santosh, in-charge Indian Meteorological Department, Thiruvananthapuram, said.

Fishermen have been warned that strong winds with speed reaching 35-45 km per hour gusting to 50 kmph is likely to hit the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts in the next 24 hours from 2 pm on Friday. The state capital recorded 45.8 mm rainfall as per the weather chart at 8:30 am on Thursday, while airport received 35.5 mm rains.