Heavy rains are likely over Kerala and Coastal Karnataka during this week. Intensity and spread may increase further early next week, over this region. Flooding rains are expected over different parts of these two states, for the entire next week. Persistent and prolonged inclement weather conditions may derail normal life out of gear.
The pre-monsoon Peninsular India trough is extending from Telangana to the Kerala-Comorin region across Karnataka, Rayalaseema and the interiors of Tamil Nadu. The feature is displaced to slightly west of its normal position. In addition, a cyclonic circulation is likely to form over Kerala, South Interior Karnataka and Coastal Karnataka on 19th May 2024. This system will become well marked as a vortex, partly over land and rest over the sea. The vortex is likely to meander over these parts, with an inclination of northward shift, between 19th and 25th May. Heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected, all along the coastline from South Kerala to Coastal Karnataka up to Karwar.
Most places along and off the coast of Kerala will have moderate to heavy rains between 16th and 18th May 2024. Under the influence of the vortex, rains will become heavier and damaging from 19th May onwards. These pre monsoon rains will be hefty and last for a week, nearly nonstop. A number of locations will be at risk of getting flooded and inundated. These include Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Kasaragod, Kannur and Wayanad. Heavy to very heavy rains will travel further north along the coast to reach Mangaluru, Udupi to the outskirts of Karwar.
Pre-monsoon rains, before the arrival of the monsoon, spell trouble and become punishing. Caution needs to be exercised to avert any disaster and take all precautionary measures. All the relief and disaster management agencies need to observe utmost attention and vigilance.
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