Even as Kerala awaits the formal onset of the southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state over the next several days and warned of possible flooding, waterlogging and landslides.The IMD has issued an orange alert for Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts for the morning hours, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and gusty winds of up to 40 kmph. The weather office had earlier placed eight districts under orange alert for Thursday (June 4), the day the southwest monsoon is expected to reach the state.
In a weather bulletin issued on Wednesday (June 3) afternoon, the IMD said conditions were favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu during the subsequent 24 hours.
The weather office forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over Kerala and Mahe from June 3 to June 9, with very heavy rainfall also likely at isolated locations during the period.The IMD said the expected rainfall could lead to localised flooding of roads, waterlogging in low-lying areas, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions in urban centres and damage to vulnerable structures.Landslides, mudslides and ground subsidence are also possible in susceptible areas.Strong winds are also likely to accompany the wet spell, with gusty conditions forecast at isolated locations over Kerala and adjoining areas.The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into sea areas along and off the Kerala coast, Lakshadweep and adjoining regions due to adverse weather conditions.Over the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on June 3, several places in Kerala recorded heavy rainfall, including 10 cm at Kozhikode, 9 cm at Peerumedu in Idukki district and 7 cm at Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode district.The southwest monsoon typically reaches Kerala around June 1 and marks the beginning of India’s four-month rainy season.The southwest monsoon’s arrival in Kerala is an important milestone for the Indian economy, as the four-month rainy season provides the bulk of the country’s annual rainfall, supports farm output, replenishes water reservoirs and helps shape rural demand and inflation trends.
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