IMD’s Agrimet has advised farmers in Kerala to continue preparing nurseries for kharif paddy in the key growing regions of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulum. It has also advised paddy growers in the state to start preparing land for transplanting paddy. Paddy is a key kharif crop grown in Kerala, and recent showers in the state are expected to aid sowing of the crop. Southwest monsoon rains had hit the Kerala coast on May 29, three days ahead of the normal date.