North East monsoon sets in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the sudden reversal of wind direction, thundershowers with heavy rains in parts, Indian meteorological department (IMD) has declared the onset of north east (NE) monsoon in Kerala on Friday.
Normally , this NE monsoon sets in during the Malayalam month of Thulam, thus called `Thulavarsham', which begins in October and goes on till December.For the next two days, IMD has also forecast heavy rains in parts of the state.
“The wind direction over the state has reversed to north east from south west indicating the onset of NE monsoon in Kerala.Thunderstorms, intermittent heavy rains with typical cold weather conditions during afternoon to evening hours hint the commencement of NE monsoon,“ IMD director S Sudevan said.
On Thursday evening, based on the forecast and the pattern of rain clouds, it was alerted that the conditions were favourable for the onset of NE monsoon in Kerala within 24 hours. Punalur in Kollam reported very heavy rains of 15 cm in the past 24 hours. Further heavy rains of 7 to 11 cm are forecast in isolated parts of the state, he said.
No major change in temperature is likely as the days will be warm and humid with a chill breeze towards the evening. Palakkad recorded the highest maximum temperature of 35 degree Celsius, while Punalur and Vellanikkara recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 22 degree Celsius, IMD officials said.
From October 1to 27, Kerala has received 24.14% deficient rains with 195.26 mm actual rains as against 257.4 mm normal rains.