Kozhikode, March 20 (IANS) Heavy rains lashed most parts of Kerala Thursday afternoon, throwing life out of gear. The rain continued unabated late in the evening. Thursday’s heavy rains accentuated the crisis for the state’s paddy farmers who have already lost crops ready for harvest in heavy summer showers.

Many districts recorded rains, which are much higher compared to normal summer showers.

“These unusual rains are due to global warming. This is not like an ordinary summer shower, which subsides quickly. The rains have the characters of a pre-monsoon or monsoon shower,” said C.K. Rajan, director, Centre for Monsoon Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology.