Palakkad to face extreme drought in coming days, according to estimates from March...

PALAKKAD: After the monsoon, Palakkad has entered a severe drought as the summer rains have ceased. According to estimates from March 1 to yesterday, Kerala has received only 65 percent of its usual rainfall. The Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures may dramatically rise in 12 districts of the state, with Palakkad expecting temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius. Palakkad is hopeful for the weather department's forecast, which suggests a chance of rain at isolated places in the state over the next four days.

Palakkad, currently experiencing scorching temperatures, has recorded very little summer rainfall, at only 95% below average. Its average rainfall from March 1 to yesterday is 28.5 mm but only 1.3 mm has been recorded. Additionally, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts in the state have not received even a single drop of rain during this period, resulting in a 100% rainfall deficit in these areas. Only Thiruvananthapuram received average rainfall in Kerala, with 38.5 mm recorded against an expected 43.6 mm. Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur have also received better rainfall. However, Idukki has experienced an 88% lack of rain, causing all the dams and other water bodies in the district to dry up and resulting in drinking water shortages and a power crisis.

Will El Nino help?

Regarding the potential aid of El Nino, the impact of this weather phenomenon, which causes changes in the sea surface temperature and wind in the Pacific Ocean, has led to rain in districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Alappuzha. However, Malappuram, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, which did not receive a single drop of rain in March, suffered a setback this time due to the shorter duration of the monsoon and weaker summer rains.

IMD officials have stated that the state is expected to receive rain this month due to the impact of El Nino, despite it currently being the dry season. Weather forecasters suggest that temperatures may increase by two to four degrees Celsius in the coming days.