Thiruvananthapuram: With parts of Kerala experiencing persistant rain for the last many hours, the Central Water Commission for Flood Forecast has issued an alert for likely flash floods in Thrissur, Palakkad, Kottayam and Idukki districts.

A red alert has also been declared in Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala on Saturday by the Met department. These regions are likely to experience extremely heavy rain in the coming hours. The alert followed an India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning about a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.

The state has been witnessing heavy rain at various parts since Friday.

The department has also sounded orange alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall) in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad, while a yellow alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

Following the alert, the state government has advised fishermen not to venture into sea until further notice.

The IMD also said the state can expect extremely heavy rain in Idukki, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Sunday, while Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.