The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Sunday as monsoon activity intensifies across Kerala. A yellow alert signifies heavy rainfall between 64.5 and 115.5 mm within 24 hours. Squally weather, with wind speeds from 35 kmph to 45 kmph, reaching up to 55 kmph, is expected along the Kerala coast on Sunday. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has also warned of high waves along the coast until 11:30 pm on Sunday.
According to the latest forecast, heavy rain is anticipated in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts until July 9. Rain accompanied by thundershowers is forecast for most parts of Kerala until July 12. Fishermen are advised against venturing into the sea off the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts until July 10 due to adverse weather conditions and rough seas.
The heavy rainfall has helped bridge the monsoon deficit across large parts of the country, bringing overall precipitation into the surplus category, according to the IMD. More spells of heavy to very heavy rain are expected over northwest India and the western parts of peninsular India in the next two to three days and over the northeast in the next five days.
In June, the country experienced an 11 percent rainfall deficit, with northwest India recording a 33 percent shortfall. Heavy rain in the first week of July compensated for the deficit but caused flooding in many northeastern states. Since the monsoon season began on June 1, the country has received 214.9 mm of rainfall, slightly above the normal of 213.3 mm. The IMD data shows 23 percent of the sub-divisional area experienced excess rainfall, 67 percent received normal rainfall, and only 10 percent experienced deficient rainfall. Historically, in 20 out of 25 years with below-normal June rainfall, July rainfall was normal or above normal.
