Monsoon Intensifies in Kerala, Hilly Areas on Alert

Fast Summary

• Southwest monsoon conditions have strengthened in Kerala with intensified wind flow from the Arabian Sea.
• Heavy rain is expected in north and central Kerala over the next week, with southern Kerala receiving patchy, short-duration spells.
• Active offshore trough extends from gujarat to south Kerala coast; strengthening westerlies are bringing moisture from the Arabian Sea.
• Two weather systems – a depression over north Rajasthan and another over Jharkhand – are sustaining rainfall activity across regions.
• the current spell may compensate for July’s earlier rainfall deficits in parts of central and northern districts like Wayanad and Idukki, which have already seen consistent rain.
• Soil saturation in Ghat regions due to cumulative precipitation could pose risks despite no red alert being issued by IMD yet. Central/north Kerala may face red-alert-like scenarios during the weekend.
• Kudulu (Kasaragod district) recorded the highest rainfall of 13 cm; Muliyar and Bayar (Kasaragod) reported 11 cm each within 24 hours ending Tuesday morning.
• Orange alerts for “heavy to very heavy” rain issued for five districts: Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur, kasaragod (Wednesday). Yellow alert predicted for isolated areas across other districts.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The reinvigoration of southwest monsoon conditions is critical given July’s earlier shortfall in rainfall across parts of Kerala. While this renewed activity could help offset deficits, particularly benefiting agricultural planning in central and northern districts like Wayanad and Idukki known for their plantation crops, it also raises concerns regarding soil saturation-induced risks such as landslides or flooding. the absence of a red alert at present provides some reprieve but underscores the importance of preparedness measures as high-risk scenarios loom.

For southern regions like Thiruvananthapuram or Kollam that remain relatively dry compared to other parts of the state during this period, predictions indicate onyl modest gains. This disparity highlights ongoing regional variability within monsoon patterns that might necessitate longer-term climate-adaptive governance strategies locally.

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