Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is experiencing a spell of heavy rain, which began on Thursday evening and is expected to continue until September 3, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Accompanied by lightning and strong winds, this weather pattern has led the IMD to issue a yellow alert for ten districts across the state. These districts include Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
Despite the delayed arrival of the La Nina phenomenon, which is anticipated to develop in the Pacific Ocean by the end of September, rainfall levels in Kerala have remained significant. Nationally, India has experienced a 16% increase in overall rainfall, with August alone seeing a 9% rise. However, Kerala recorded a 12% rainfall deficit between June and August, with some districts like Wayanad, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam experiencing the highest shortfalls.
La Nina, a part of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, typically brings cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, affecting global weather patterns. The potential arrival of La Nina towards the end of Kerala’s monsoon season may lead to even heavier rainfall.
With yellow alerts issued for various districts on September 1, 2, and 3, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents, particularly those in landslide-prone areas, riverbanks, and downstream regions of dams, to take precautions and relocate to safer locations if necessary.
