Heavy rains predicted for 48 hours in state

Thiruvananthapuram: With

south west monsoon

gaining strength, the state is inching closer to getting normal rains from its recorded deficient rains till Wednesday. For the next five days, heavy rains with thunderstorm is expected to lash parts of Kerala.

“It is a special type of activity mostly during September and October phase of south west monsoon. Thunderstorms will prevail throughout Kerala for the next five days with heavy rains of 7cm to 11cm in some pockets of the state during the next 48 hours,” said S Sudevan, director, Indian meteorological department.

Overall, from deficient rains in the state this season, it is improving towards normal. Districts such as Idukki have shown marked improvement from the initial

deficiency

of over 30% as it has received normal rains 19.49% this season till today, he said. Wayanad still lags behind with 47% deficiency, he added.

“Thiruvananthapuram airport area received 9cm heavy rain and Thiruvananthapuram city received 7cm rains today. We are yet to get the report on rains from all districts to know which district has received maximum rains today. It will be known only by Friday morning,” Sudevan said.

In the last 24 hours, Kottayam received the maximum 3cm rains followed by Chalakudy in Thrissur and Chengannur in Alappuzha with 2cm rains each. While Ernakulum, Mavelikkara in Alappuzha and Kumarakom in Kottayam district received 1cm rains each.

Overall, Kerala recorded 1,481.93 mm actual rains as against the normal expected rains of 1847.9 mm, which is 19.8% deficient from normal during the season from June 1 to September 7. This season, till yesterday, recorded 20% deficient rains.

“When the season records plus or minus 19% rains, it is termed normal, while 20% is termed deficient rains,” Sudevan said.

IMD and state emergency operations centre have issued heavy rain alert with strong winds from north-westerly direction at a speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 kmph along and off Kerala coast and Lakshadweep area during the next 24 hours. They have warned fishermen from venturing into the sea.


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