Low-Pressure area over Bay of Bengal; Will rain bring relief from heat? Yellow alert in two districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the possibility of rain in Kerala over the next five days. Yellow alert has been issued for several districts. Alappuzha and Ernakulam are on yellow alert today. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam are on yellow alert tomorrow. Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam and Palakkad will be under yellow alert day after tomorrow. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected. Heavy rainfall refers to rainfall between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm within 24 hours.

The IMD has also said that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal. A cyclonic circulation is presently situated over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas today. As a result, light to moderate rainfall is expected in the state from today until September 13, according to the IMD.

Meantime, the rainfall deficit in Kerala during the southwest monsoon has increased to 25 percent. Against the expected 1,837.1 mm of rainfall, the state had received only 1,372.4 mm until yesterday. Idukki and Wayanad recorded the lowest rainfall. Wayanad has a rainfall deficit of 52 percent, while Idukki has recorded a deficit of 46 percent.
The state is experiencing intense heat during daytime, while nighttime temperatures are also rising. Nighttime temperatures have increased by up to 1.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature yesterday was 26°C in Kochi and Kozhikode and 25°C in Thiruvananthapuram. The cyclonic circulation that has formed over the Bay of Bengal is expected to develop into a low-pressure area today. Even if it does not rain, the clouds that may develop under the influence of the low-pressure system could help bring down temperatures.

The southwest monsoon is expected to end in September, after which the northeast monsoon, locally known as the Thulavarsham, is expected. Under the present conditions, the northeast monsoon may arrive around mid-October. However, there are concerns over whether Kerala will receive the expected amount of rainfall during the northeast monsoon this year due to the influence of El Niño.