THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rainfall in Kerala in 2024 showed marked differences across districts, with northern regions receiving heavy monsoon showers while several central and southern districts experienced deficits.
The findings in the report ‘Kerala Water Resources Assessment 2024’, prepared by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), highlights that early southwest monsoon rainfall is decreasing in south-central districts while northern districts are seeing increasing rainfall in September.
These spatial and seasonal variations underscore the need for district-specific planning for reservoirs, irrigation schedules, flood and landslide preparedness, and urban drainage systems to ensure climate-resilient water and agriculture management across the state.
CWRDM executive director Manoj P Samuel told TNIE that the study was done by analysing district-wise monthly rainfall data from 1970 to 2024.
“There’s a shift in the pattern, and though Kerala is receiving rain, it isn’t distributed evenly. These shifts in the rain pattern have direct implications for reservoir rule curves, irrigation advisories, flood and landslide risk management, and urban drainage planning,” Manoj said. The state requires district-specific strategies, he pointed out.
In 2024, Kasaragod and Kozhikode recorded over 3,800 mm of rainfall, with the southwest monsoon contributing up to 81% of the total, while Wayanad, Idukki and Ernakulam saw totals exceeding 3,500 mm.
Central districts such as Kottayam and Thrissur received around 3,200-3,750 mm and southern districts including Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam recorded lower totals between 2,078 mm and 2,675 mm, reflecting a more balanced contribution from both monsoons.
“We have presented analyses for each district so that the stakeholder agencies can plan accordingly. For instance, districts with lower rainfall could face drought and action can be taken accordingly,” Manoj said. He said CWRDM has done a grassroot-level study to identify water-stressed local bodies in the state. There are around 286 drought-affected wards in the state.
For water, agri mgmt
Spatial and seasonal variations underscore the need for district-specific planning to ensure climate-resilient water and agriculture management across the state
