Tuesday, September 5.
After August’s water shortage-inducing deficits, monsoonal rains seem to be in the mood to make a comeback again. Much-needed rainfall has returned to almost all parts of the country, including South Peninsular India, thanks to a low-pressure area brewing in the Bay of Bengal. And while Andhra and Telangana are bearing most of its brunt, intense downpours are gracing Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka this week as well.
A large-scale cyclonic circulation emerged over the Bay of Bengal over the weekend, reactivating the southwest monsoon. Just as weather models had indicated, the system spurred the formation of a low-pressure area over the Northwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal off south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts. In addition, a trough spans the length between the cyclonic circulation and Telangana, while another trough extends along the Konkan and Malabar coasts.
Under the combined influence of these systems, regions falling in their vicinity will be in for some reinvigorated rainfall activity.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), up to moderate widespread showers with isolated heavy rains (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) will lash Tamil Nadu and Kerala until Friday, September 8. Similar weather will prevail over Karnataka starting Wednesday and last until Friday (September 6-8).
The Weather Channel India’s met team has also forecast thunderstorms over Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the next 48 hours.
In view of these forecasts, the IMD has issued a yellow watch over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala for the next 4-5 days so as to urge locals to ‘be updated’ about the inclement weather. Only Kerala will remain on orange alert (meaning ‘be prepared’) for today.
August was the driest and warmest for the entire country since weather records began in 1901, and we have the rainfall stats to show for. However, the renewed monsoon spell seems to have lifted both the numbers and spirits this month.
In the first five days of September, Kerala has recorded 50.5 mm of rainfall, Karnataka 32.1 mm and Tamil Nadu 33.7 mm, resulting in excesses of 30%, 49% and 150%, respectively.