Southwest monsoon reduced to wind, clear skies raise concerns in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only 39 percent rain has been received in Kerala till yesterday as the first phase was reduced to wind.

Winds are blowing at a speed of up to 55 kilometers per hour along the coast. Cyclone Biporjoy, which formed in the Arabian Sea, shattered Kerala's hopes of rain. With the arrival of the cyclone, the rain clouds are scattered over the southern coast of India.

In previous years, Kerala received 417.3 mm of rain at this time. This year it is only 163.4 mm. The report says that the situation is alarming. The Meteorological Department says that there is no sign of any strengthening of the monsoons anywhere in the near future. If this continues, the agriculture sector will also suffer. A lack of summer rains can also affect fresh water supplies.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts received at least nominal rainfall. The situation in other districts is dire. It is getting hotter in many places. Idukki, which usually receives good rains, has received only 30 percent so far. Meanwhile, in the presence of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu has received good rains in the last few days.

Strong winds till Saturday

The Indian Meteorological Department has advised not to go fishing in the warning areas till Saturday along the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts of Lakshadweep due to the possibility of wind speed up to 55 km per hour and bad weather conditions.