State may receive above-normal rain this monsoon: IMD

Kochi: For the second consecutive year, the southwest monsoon is likely to hit the state earlier than the scheduled date of June 1. In 2024, the onset was declared on May 30, but it was a weak start as there was hardly any rainfall in the first week after the onset. However, the state received heavy rainfall in the last week of the month.

According to the IMD's long-range forecast of the southwest monsoon, Kerala is likely to receive above-normal rainfall this year. The state received heavy rainfall of 6.5-11.5cm in April. The south peninsular region received 60.4% excess rainfall in April. The winter rainfall was largely deficient at 66%, with all districts recording a shortage of rains from Jan 1 to Feb 28.

In the pre-monsoon rainfall from March 1 to May 11 this year, the state received 228.4mm against a normal of 203.5mm, with 12% excess rainfall. Kottayam had 56% excess, while Kannur had 46% excess rainfall. All districts have received normal to excess rainfall to date.

Skymet Weather said that there is no powerful system emerging over that area until the middle of May. The strong stream of southwesterly winds will cause heavy rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between May 12 and 15, it said.

Meanwhile, the IMD has said that the southwest monsoon is very likely to advance into the south Andaman Sea, some parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands around May 13.

Hot & humid weather warning

There's a warning for hot and humid weather for the state on Monday. Maximum temperatures are very likely to be around 37˚C in some places in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts, and 36˚C in Kollam, Kannur, Kasargode, Thrissur, and Malappuram. Hot and sultry weather is very likely to prevail over these districts except in hilly areas due to high temperature and humidity.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph are very likely to occur at one or two places over Kerala until Thursday.