Mercury levels continue to rise across Kerala

Kochi: Even as dry weather continued to prevail across the state, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain over the coming weekend. This is due to the influence of a low-pressure area over the east equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining central parts of the south Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, a low-pressure area formed over the same region. The associated upper-air cyclonic circulation extended up to 5.8km above mean sea level. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and become more marked over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining east equatorial Indian Ocean around Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kannur recorded a high of 38°C, a 3° rise against the 35° recorded on Sunday. The relative humidity was around 55%. High temperatures were recorded in Cial Kochi at 36.1°, which is 1.5° above its normal. Kottayam and Kozhikode recorded 35.4° and 34.7°, a 1.3° rise from their respective normals.