South West Monsoon Hits Kerala Coast Eight Days Ahead Of Scheduled Arrival
Heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts, a red alert sounded - India Meteorological Department (IMD).
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The southwest monsoon hit the Kerala coast on Saturday, eight days before the normal date, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This is the earliest onset since 2009, when the monsoon arrived on May 23. The normal date of onset of Monsoon in Kerala is June 1.
While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that an exact onset date for Hyderabad is yet to be confirmed, it acknowledged that conditions were favourable for an early advancement. Private weather forecaster Skymet, in its latest update, predicted that rainfall will begin intensifying from May 27, with heavier showers expected around May 29. The city, however, has been experiencing moderate heat and rain for nearly a week, almost making it feel like the rainy season has arrived.
With the arrival of monsoon, Kerala is experiencing widespread rainfall across the state. A red alert has been sounded for 11 districts on May 26. These districts are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, measuring from 7 cm to 24 cm in 24 hours.
Many parts of the state received heavy rainfall on Saturday. Kumarakom in Kottayam district recorded 12 cm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Kannur, Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram also experienced heavy rainfall.
Widespread rainfall to very heavy rainfall has been predicted by the IMD for the next seven days.
Given the heavy to very heavy rainfall, tourist spots have been shut in many parts of the state and adventure tourism activities too have been restricted or prohibited.
The tourist spots that have been closed include: all tourist spots in Kasargod districts, all tourist centres of Kannur till May 27, certain spots in Wayanad, entry banned in river banks, beaches, waterfalls and other water bodies in Kozhikode district. Entry is banned to tourist spots offering boating, kayaking, rafting and coracle rides in Idukki, including Munnar's Mattupetty Dam.
Tourist activities like boating, kayaking, rafting, coracle rafting, trekking, night travel in hill areas are banned from 7 pm to 7 am till May 27.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds wreaked havoc across Thrissur district, resulting in landslides and destruction of houses. Two people were feared missing following a boat mishap.