Over a month since the onset of the monsoon, Kerala has received 118.5 cm of rain on an average, which is the highest level recorded in the same period during the past five years.
‘’The rainfall expected during the period from June 1 to July 4 was 76.5 cm. But the state received 118.5 cm of rain which is an excess of around 55 per cent,’’ K Santosh, Director, Meteorological Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, said. For a brief period from June 28 to July 2, the monsoon fell below the normal level. However, since the last couple of days it has strengthened and has recorded above normal levels. Heavy to very rainfall is expected in the state till the end of this week, he said.
During the same period last year, the state received only 54.2 cm of rain on an average - a deficit of 30 per cent. However, in 2010 and 2011 the state received slightly excess rainfall from the normal level. In 2009, monsoon was deficient by 20 per cent from the period from June 1 to July 4.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in many parts of north Kerala on Thursday with Vythiri in Wayanad district receiving 15 cm of rain followed by Manjeri in Malappuram which received 12 cm of rain. According to the Met Department, heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur at isolated places in Kerala during the next 48 hours.