Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 (IANS) With the rain god showing mercy, Keralites ushered in the New Year with the usual colour and festivities.

Heavy rains that began Friday evening went on till Saturday afternoon, flooding the low lying areas of the capital. Five lives were lost. But by night, the rains had abated.

The famed Kovalam beach witnessed the most colourful event with hundreds of foreigners joining in the festivities on the beach, which included live music bands and dancing.

With 1,500 policemen and closed circuit cameras, no untoward incident was reported.

Hotels in the capital witnessed hectic New Year festivities.

In Kochi, most hotels overflowed with those who came to welcome the New Year. The beach saw a good number of foreign tourists.

At the Hindu temple in Sabarimala, the Ayyapa Seva Sangham, a social group, went ahead with the first ever New Year celebrations.

As Jan 1 was a Sunday, special reference on the New Year was made in churches in between the mass.

And as always, heavy rush was seen at all liquor retail shops.

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