The southwest monsoon is still over three weeks away but South India is already dealing with flooding rains. Torrential, unusual rain, accompanied by strong winds, triggered by a well- marked low pressure over Kanyakumari, once again lashed parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, crippling normal life.
According to latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, more downpour during the next 48 hours is likely in Kerala and Karnataka. Though, rain in Tamil Nadu will now start reducing. Our weathermen also inform that the area of low pressure is now becoming increasingly organized and may also intensify further into a depression.
Some of the cities in Kerala which recorded rain in the last 24 hours were: Kochi – 191.6 mm, Kozhikode – 87.7 mm, Alapuzha – 85.4 mm, Kottayam – 71.4 mm, Thiruvananthapuram – 6 mm, Kannur – 8.6 mm and Punalur – 8.2 mm of rain.
Rain was heavier and even more widespread in Tamil Nadu : Coonoor – 117.9 mm, Kanyakumari – 110.9 mm, Kodaikanal – 69.2 mm, Palainkottai – 40.4 mm, Pamban – 51.3 mm, Tiruchirappalli – 49 mm, Vellore – 41.2 mm, Tondi – 39.2 mm, Nagapattinam – 33.6 mm, Madurai – 24.2 mm, Karaikal – 22.8 mm, Cuddalore – 20 mm, Salem – 10.8 mm and Chennai – 1.2 mm.
“Such heavy rain is unusual and unseasonal. South India in the month of April and May observes pre-monsoon rain and thunderstorm activities, but torrential rain from a weather system, even in the parched and rain starved areas of interior Tamil Nadu is uncommon”, says G.P Sharma of Skymet Meteorology Division in India.
Aftermath of rain
In the last 24 hours, as a clutch of thundery showers drifted in across Kerala and Tamil Nadu from the Bay of Bengal, incessant rain occurred (over 100 mm in pockets) and brought many roads and low-lying areas under knee-deep water in several parts of the states. Trees uprooted by heavy winds caused traffic snarls in many areas. Police and fire force were geared up to remove fallen branches of trees.
As the sea is expected to be rough due to strong winds, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during the period.
These extensive summer showers have brought a welcome relief to the Kerala electricity board. The power consumption, which registered an unprecedented rise by up to 70 million units on Saturday, 2nd May, came down to 63 mu on Monday, 4th May. Consumers have cut down the use of air conditioners and fans as continuous rain in Kerala has brought down the heat. Electricity consumption in Kerala had increased by over 15% due to temperatures nearing 40⁰C in the last few days.
These summer showers are expected to increase the level of water in reservoirs which were seen going dry in the last few days. Karnataka, where 93% of lakes and tanks have dried up would breath a sigh of relief. The water crisis was also brewing in Madurai in Tamil Nadu as it was expected by the Public Works Department that the drinking water storage in Vaigai dam may not last beyond 5th May.
Followed by unexpected heavy rains in Tamil Nadu, bathing has been banned in the famous Coutrallam falls in Tamil Nadu. Officials said they had banned taking bath in the Coutrallam and Indharuvi (five falls) in view of heavy water flow. The falls located in Tenkasi is a major attraction for tourists and has been clocking large arrivals in view of summer vacation in recent days.
