Monsoon likely to hit #Kerala next week; heatwave death toll climbs to 2,005

Thiruvananthapuram: People across the country, who are reeling under intense heatwave, can breathe a sigh of relief as the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive inKerala next week.

Confirming the development, Sudevan, MET Dept Director (Kerala), on Saturday said that Monsoon is likely to hit Kerala coast before 3rd June.

Strong winds from north westerly direction having a speed of 45-55 kmph were likely to hit the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep during the next 24 hours commencing from 2 pm on Friday, another India Meteorological Department (IMD) official had said earlier.

The official also warned fishermen not to venture into the sea in view of the strong winds.

According to weather department forecast rain or thundershowers would occur at many places over Kerala, Lakshadweep and at a few places over coastal and south interior Karnataka today. Isolated rain or thundershowers may also occur over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and north interior Karnataka.

Scanty rainfall was recorded at most places over Lakshadweep, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka on Friday.

Meanwhile, the nationwide death toll has risen to 2,005 as the intense heatwave continued to sweep many parts of the country, with Palamau in Jharkhand recording the highest temperature of 47 degrees Celsius.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which bore the brunt of the scorching sun, together