Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Kerala, waterlogging roads and flooding low-lying areas, with the IMD on Friday issuing an orange alert in seven districts of the state. (Pics/PTI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday declared the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala, signalling the beginning of the country's four-month rainy season. The arrival of the monsoon comes as a welcome relief after weeks of intense heatwave conditions across several parts of India. (Pics/ PTI)