THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an indication of the southwest monsoon shedding its initial sluggish phase, the number of districts with rainfall deficit has come down from four to two, thanks to the heavy rains which lashed the state over the last one week.
Except Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, which recorded a deficit of -36 and - 20 per cent respectively, seasonal rainfall in all other districts is now in the ‘normal’ category.
Last week, Alappuzha and Kasaragod were also in the ‘deficit’ category but the heavy rainfall helped these districts move to ‘normal’.
As per the the Met Department’s classification, a variation of up to 20 per cent either way from the long-period average is considered as ‘normal rainfall’ Against the normal rainfall of 157.9 cm expected from June 1 till date, the state received 155.2 cm of rain - a shortage of two per cent. Ernakulam and Idukki districts recorded the maximum amount of rainfall - 12 per cent and 11 per cent respectively above the long period average. Though the Met Department has not forecast heavy rain for the next three days, the situation may improve after August 17. “A cyclonic circulation is expected over the Tamil Nadu coast. If this moves westwards and reaches the Kerala coast, the state will receive heavy rainfall after August 17,’’ K Santosh, Director, Meteorological Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, told ‘Express’.
In its weather bulletin on Thursday, the Met Department has warned of strong onshore winds from the northwesterly direction, with speed occasionally reaching 45-55 kmph along the Kerala coast till Friday.