Thiruvananthapuram: After devastating floods claimed around 500 lives in Kerala last month, the state braces for yet another spell of heavy rains with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy downpour in five districts - Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkad and Thrissur. The weather office has issued a yellow for these districts for Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to the forecast, these districts may receive 64.4mm to 124.4mm of rain.

"A yellow alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Wayanad districts for September 25. In addition, a yellow alert has also been issued for Palakkad, Idukki, Thrissur and Wayanad districts for September 26. The Met Centre has predicted heavy rainfall (64.4mm to 124.4mm) in these districts," Kerala Chief Minister's office said.

"We have issued isolated heavy rainfall warning for Kerala for the next four days. Expecting widespread rainfall in entire Kerala for next five days," IMD Kerala director K. Santosh was quoted as saying by ANI.

The State Disaster Management Authority has instructed district authorities to be on alert and directed them to take necessary precautions.

These districts were among the worst affected during the recent deluge that wreaked havoc in the entire state and left a huge trail of destruction. After monsoon rains began lashing Kerala on May 29 this year, at least 491 died and more than a million were forced to take shelter in relief centres following unprecedented destruction.

The state has suffered a loss of Rs 40,000 crore as per initial estimates in the rains. The 2018 floods have been described as the worst to hit Kerala after 1924.