New Delhi, Aug. 2 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) lifted its 'red alert' and replaced it with orange warning in several districts of Kerala after heavy rains pounded several parts of the state on Saturday. As many as for 12 districts in Kerala are on orange alert today, including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The weather office predicted heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours at these places.

Besides more showers, Kerala residents can expect thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds reaching speed of 60 kmph. Predicting continued wet spells for the next 5 days, IMD in its latest weather bulletin stated, "Is...