The state of Kerala is being lashed by heavy to very heavy rains for the last three days- July 19 onward. As of now, the activity is more in the northern and the central parts of the state compared to the southern region. Idukki, Kasargod, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kozhikode are already on red alert due to torrential rains.
In wake of these torrential rains, dams have been opened in Kerala, relief camps have been set up. Holiday has also been declared in Kannur, Kozhikode, and Kottayam. In the past 24 hours, Alappuzha, Kannur, Kochi, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Punalur, and Thiruvananthapuram recorded 65.8 mm, 67.7 mm, 99.2 mm, 38.4 mm, 70.2 mm, 23.4 mm, and 15.3 mm of rains, respectively.
The state has opened five relatively small dams to drain the excess water. The rains have already led to overflowing of rivers like Meenachil in Kottayam, flooded roads and bridges in Kozhikode and waterlogging of low-lying areas. Also, the shutters of Peringalkuthu, Pambla, Kallarkutty, Bhoothathankettu, and Malankara dams have been opened. People along the banks of the rivers have been alerted. The government of Kerala has warned against fishing in the sea and travelling to landslide-prone areas and hilly regions.
Before these hefty rains, Kerala was experiencing a huge deficiency of 48%. However, these lashing rains have significantly pulled down the deficiency levels, which now stands at 33%.
Despite these rains, most of the districts of the state are still rainfall deficient barring Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode which stands at –18% and –16%, respectively (+/- 19 is considered normal). Idukki is the most deficient at 46%.
These rains can be attributed to an off-shore Trough which is running from Konkan and Goa to Kerala along with a well-marked Tropical Cyclonic Circulation off Tamil Nadu coast in the Bay of Bengal.
According to weathermen at Skymet hese rains will continue to lash Kerala, but the intensity of rains will be more over the northern parts and will almost persist for 48 hours. Thus, we can say that half of the state will almost witness very heavy rains. There are chances that Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha might escape the fury of heavy rains but light to moderate rains will be seen.
Half of the state is very likely to witness very heavy rains. A red alert has been issued for Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur for Monday and Kasaragod for Tuesday, July 23. Meanwhile, Orange alert has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kasaragod for July 22 and in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts for July 23. The districts of Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod have been issued Orange alert for July 24.
The experts have to say that relief will be visible Thursday onward when the intensity of rains would reduce considerably.
Image Credit: The Hindu
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com
