The two most weather active pockets during Southwest Monsoon in India are the West Coast and Northeast India. The western coast of the country which receives good rainfall during Monsoon primarily includes Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Konkan & Goa. The monthly average of certain places in this region even touches the four-figure mark during Monsoon.
Despite maintaining a healthy normal rainfall record, the amount of rain witnessed in these places during the first week of July this year has remained on the lower side. Subdued rainfall activity has kept Kerala deficient by 30%, coastal Karnataka by 32%, and Konkan & Goa by 15%.
To put things into perspective, let’s take a look at the normal rainfall figures of a few places for the month of July. Normally in the month of July, Mangalore receives 1104 mm, Karwar 979 mm, Goa 900 mm, Mumbai 800 mm, and Kozhikode 816 mm.
Rainfall figures for particular places also shed light on the fact that rainfall activity in the first week of July along the West Coast has been minimal. Out of the above mentioned places, only Goa recorded 160 mm rainfall during the first week of July. Otherwise, Mangalore received 71 mm rainfall in the first week of July this year, Karwar 34.3 mm, Mumbai witnessed only 10.5 mm of rain, and Kozhikode 66.7 mm.
But now, there are strong indications that rainfall activity along the West Coast is likely to pick up. This week is expected to do better than the first week of July. Although weather activity may not be simultaneous in nature, but the entire belt is expected to remain weather active. Intensity of rain will increase in Kerala and coastal Karnataka first, and will cover the remaining parts of the West Coast later on.
In a span of 24 hours, from 8:30 am on Wednesday, Conoor in Kerala has recorded 40.6 mm rainfall, Kottayam 31.2 mm, and Kozhikode 53.5 mm. In coastal Karnataka, Mangalore received 38.6 mm rainfall, Honavar 19.4, Goa 23 mm, Agumbe 110.8 mm, and Madikeri 40 mm. Heavy rainfall is now expected in pockets all along the West Coast. Places like Mumbai, Kochi, Goa, and others are likely to receive good amounts of rain.
(Featured Image Credit: thehindu.com)
