Thoothukudi, Thirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu record 500 – 900 mm rainfall in 24 hours

“The northeast monsoon continues to be vigorous over southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Extremely to exceptionally heavy rainfall (more than 200mm in 24 hours) will continue over these regions till Tuesday, after which the rainfall intensity will reduce,” said an IMD official.

In view of a cyclonic circulation present over the Comorin area along with heavy clouding observed over the southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu regions, as seen from the satellite images, the Met department has issued a red alert (warning) over the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Source: IMD

This season, Thirunelveli district has recorded 760mm, which was an excess of 61 per cent from the normal. Whereas, Thoothukudi has received normal rainfall of 349mm since October. As on December 17, the state’s northeast season rainfall stood at 396mm, which is normal for this time of the year. Earlier in the month, northern Tamil Nadu had benefitted from cyclone Michaung and associated rainfall.

During the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded over Kerala’s Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The rainfall recorded in Pampadumpara (90mm), Vattavada (80mm), Kovilkadavu(80mm), Myladumpara and Thattathumala(70mm, each) were some of the wettest areas in Kerala on Monday.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala benefit for the winter monsoon during October – December. Nearly 48 per cent of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall is recorded during these months.