Mercury levels rise in Kerala, indicating summer onset

Kochi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there would be a gradual rise of about 2°C in Kerala, along with Mahe, Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, for the next three days. Maximum temperatures are likely to rise gradually by 2-4°C in most parts of the country from Feb 20.Mercury levels crossed 35°C at many places in Kannur (36.4), Kozhikode (35.4), Kottayam (35.2) and Kochi airport (35.1). Punalur recorded 34.5°C and Vellanikkara saw 34.1°C.Kannur recorded very high temperatures for the last few days, with mercury level reaching 37.2°C on Thursday. Kozhikode saw a 2°C rise from its normal of 33.4°C, though it was around 35°C in the last two days.Kottayam also saw a 1.2°C rise from its normal of 34°C. Palakkad, which generally records high mercury levels, saw cooler temperatures at 32°C.Relative humidity levels touched 73% in Punalur while they were between 45-55% in most other places. Several other places, including Thiruvananthapuram city, Karipur and Kochi city, saw temperatures above 33°C.IMD said dry weather prevailed over Kerala and Lakshadweep. There was no large change in minimum temperature over Kerala during the past 24 hours. However, it was below normal in Kottayam and Kollam districts. Punalur recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 19.5°C.Skymet Weather said west coast temperatures are rising sharply into the high 30s, unlike the milder east coast. On the east coast, the mercury continues to remain subdued and confined to around 30°C. A large differential is building between the two sides of peninsular India, giving a significant lead towards the upcoming pre-monsoon season.It said day temperatures frequently breached the 36°C mark along the west coast, from Kochi to Ratnagiri. The west coast gets swept by land winds — an extension of the northeasterlies of the east coast — traversing across the interiors of peninsular India until afternoon hours. Temperatures are shooting up to 38°C and a further rise is likely. The interiors of south India are not as hot as the coastline along the Western Ghats. These are early indications of the upcoming pre-monsoon season for the southern parts of the country.