The southwest monsoon has intensified in Kerala, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for six districts for July 2.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod are the districts expected to get heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.
The national weather forecaster has predicted heavy rain accompanied by thundershowers across most parts of Kerala until July 5.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Centre has warned about the “Kallakadal” phenomenon along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu coast until 11.30 pm on July 3.
Kallakadal, which translates to sea coming suddenly like a thief, refers to coastal flooding caused by swell waves during the pre-monsoon and sometimes post-monsoon seasons along the country’s southwest coast.
The current weather pattern is due to prevailing strong winds from the west to southwest at lower levels over Kerala and Lakshadweep.
In light of these adverse weather conditions and rough sea conditions, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts until July 2.
The IMD has issued these instructions to the public:
- Coastal residents are advised to stay vigilant against potential inundation and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
- Residents living in homes with vulnerable roofs should prepare for possible relocation.
- Those residing in disaster-prone areas are urged to assemble an emergency kit.
- Night-time travel in hilly regions should be avoided.
- Everyone should exercise caution regarding the risk of falling trees or poles due to strong winds.
- It is advised not to attempt river crossings, swimming, or fishing in rivers or other water bodies during heavy rainfall.
Monsoon, so far
India recorded below-normal rainfall in June, with the IMD reporting an 11 percent deficit, the highest in five years.
The country received 147.2 mm of rainfall compared to a normal of 165.3 mm for the month, the seventh lowest since 2001. June rainfall typically contributes 15 percent to the total precipitation of 87 cm during the monsoon season.
The monsoon lost strength after developing early over Kerala and the northeast on May 30 and moving steadily to Maharashtra. This prolonged the wait for rain in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and exacerbated the effects of a sweltering heat wave in northwest India.
(with agency inputs)
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