As the southwest monsoon has crossed half of its four-month course, Kerala is staring at a deficient season, contrary to the earlier forecast of above normal rainfall issued for the southern peninsula by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Normally, June and July account for the lion’s share of southwest monsoon rainfall in the State with these two months alone contributing to an average rainfall of 648.3 mm and 653.5 mm, respectively, out of the total long period average of 2,018.7 mm rainfall during the season.
But as of July 30, the southwest monsoon rainfall is 34% less than the seasonal average in the State. Further, the skewed spatial distribution has widened the rainfall deficit in nine districts, with Idukki accounting for the highest rain deficit of 51% followed by Wayanad and Kozhikode with 47%.
