The northeast monsoon popularly known as ‘Thulavasham’ in Kerala has set in over Kerala and Tamil Nadu, hardly two days after the complete withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the country. The northwest monsoon, which accounts for around 20% of the annual rainfall in the State is likely to have a sluggish start in the initial days but is expected to gain pace in the coming days.
According to a weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in association with a low pressure area over the southeast and the central Bay of Bengal and a cyclonic circulation over the Comorin area, northeasterly winds have strengthened over the south and central Bay of Bengal. Under the influence of these atmospheric conditions, northeast monsoon rainfall activity commenced over Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Saturday.
