Thiruvananthapuram | Heavy rain lashed parts of Keralam on Friday as the IMD issued an orange alert in 10 districts, warning of intense rainfall and thunderstorms, officials said.

The orange alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a nowcast bulletin released at 4 pm for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts, forecasting intense rainfall over the next three hours.

An orange alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm.

According to a statement issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall and maximum surface wind speeds of up to 50 kmph were likely at isolated places in these districts.

The IMD also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall and winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph at isolated places in the remaining districts of Keralam, the statement said.

Heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts, KSDMA officials said.

Waterlogging was also reported in Aluva in Ernakulam district following the downpour.

Two houses were partially damaged in a thunderstorm and lightning strike in Kannur district, officials added.