Monsoon falls short; Kerala faces fresh drought threat

MALAPPURAM: Kerala is facing the threat of a fresh drought even before the summer begins as the state continues to receive deficient monsoon rainfall. The state has recorded a 27 per cent rainfall deficit this monsoon. From June 1 to September 14, Kerala received only 1,373.9 mm of rain against the normal 1,880 mm, leaving a deficit of 506.1 mm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in some districts in the coming days. However, with only two weeks left for the monsoon season to end, the rain is unlikely to make up for the deficit.

The State Disaster Management Authority has warned that Kerala could move towards severe drought and drinking water shortages. The weak monsoon has been attributed to a strong El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean. With the rains receding, temperatures have also started to rise. The weather department has warned that temperatures could be three to four degrees Celsius above normal in some areas. Last year, Kerala recorded a 13 per cent monsoon rainfall deficit.

Not even half the normal rainfall in Wayanad

Idukki, where several major dams are located, has recorded a 47 per cent rainfall deficit. The reduced rainfall has also affected the inflow into the reservoirs. Wayanad has received less than half of its normal rainfall, recording a deficit of 53 per cent. The rainfall shortage has put the agricultural sector in the district under severe stress. Last year, Idukki and Wayanad recorded rainfall deficits of 35 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively.

Monsoon rainfall and deficit in Kerala

(Rainfall recorded from June 1 to September 14)

District......…...…..Rainfall received (mm)………...Normal rainfall (mm)……….Deficit (%)
Kasaragod...……...…...2,285.6.................…...………..2,724.0....................................-16
Kannur.....................….2,215.5...…………..............…..2,493.2...……………..................-11
Kozhikode...................2,026.6...…………..............…..2,420.9...…………….................-16
Wayanad....................1,098.3...…………..............…..2,346.7...…………….................-53
Malappuram..............1,370.3...…………..............…..1,828.4...…………….................-25
Palakkad.....................1,039.1...…………..............…..1,449.6...…………….................-28
Thrissur....................…1,423.5...…………..............…..1,987.4...…………….................-28
Ernakulam...................1,450.8...…………..............…..1,948.4...…………….................-26
Kottayam..................….1,517.2...…………..............…..1,749.0...…………….................-13
Pathanamthitta...........1,294.0...…………..............…..1,424.7...…………….................-9
Idukki....................….....1,260.7...…………..............…..2,393.7...…………….................-47
Alappuzha.....................1,033.7...…………..............…..1,494.1...…………….................-31
Kollam....................……..721.2...…………............…..…..1,126.1...…………….................-36
Thiruvananthapuram...664.7...…………............…..…..739.9...……………...............….-10