Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
After a sluggish start since its onset on October 21, the northeast monsoon has finally gathered steam. Over the last four days, it brought heavy rain spells over most parts of the southern peninsular India, especially Kerala and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
This year, October ended being the sixth driest for the southern peninsula, spanning Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Yanam and Puducherry. However, the ongoing rainfall has amounted to 28.5mm of rain, which was 5 per cent above normal, for the period November 1-6.
The northeast monsoon is vital, particularly for Tamil Nadu, which receives about 48 per cent of its annual rainfall during October-December.
However, with the strengthening of the northerly-northeasterly winds over this region since the start of this month, the winter monsoon has turned active, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
“The northeast is currently active over Kerala, Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Many areas in these states recorded very heavy rainfall measuring over 100 mm in 24 hours,” an official from the IMD, New Delhi, said.
Some of the areas include Tenkasi and Kandukur (120 mm), Kavali and Ayikudi (100 mm), Madurai and Kundpura (90 mm) and Kadlu and Panathur (70 mm), as per the 24-hour rainfall recorded on Monday.
According to the latest forecast issued on Monday by the IMD, there are chances of heavy to very heavy rainfall events (64.5 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours) at isolated places in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, coastal and south Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep and southern Karnataka.
As on Monday, a cyclonic circulation prevailed off the Kerala coast. As this system is likely to intensify after gathering moisture during its onward west-northwesterly movement in the coming days, wet conditions are likely to continue till November 9.
“Under the influence of the prevailing cyclonic circulation, a low pressure is set to form over the east-central Arabian Sea Wednesday. Strong winds and isolated heavy spells will lash parts of the southwest coast in the coming three days,” the IMD said.
Rough sea conditions with wind speeds ranging between 35-55 km/hr are expected.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea in view of the strong winds during the upcoming four days,” said V K Mini, meteorologist, IMD, Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala’s monthly rainfall, which stood at 311 mm on October 31, jumped to 400.7 mm on November 6, which was 13 per cent above normal. However, the rainfall deficit over Tamil Nadu (-28 per cent) and coastal Andhra Pradesh (-81 per cent) has not improved.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
