Though the summer rains accompanied by thunder and lightning damaged standing crops and left a trail of destruction in many parts of the State, the late surge after a sweltering March has turned the weather pleasant across the State.
The summer showers, influenced by the cyclonic circulations over Bay of Bengal have brought a palpable drop in mercury, bringing relief after a long and sweltering spell of summer.
According to the statistics available with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kerala received around 81% excess summer rains so far with the State receiving 106.6 mm rainfall from March 1 to April 9 against the average of 59.81 mm.
The summer rain that lashed many parts of south and central Kerala in the last few days has helped the State net an excess rainfall. In the last nine hours that ended at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, Vazhakunnam in Pathanamthitta recorded the highest rainfall of 72.0 mm followed by Perumkadavila in Thiruvananathapuram with 65.5 mm.
A weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said a wind discontinuity was seen from Marathwada to South Interior Karnataka across North Interior Karnataka at 0.9 km above mean sea level. A cyclonic circulation, which persists over Sri Lanka and neighbourhood, has now merged with another cyclonic circulation that lies over Southwest Bay of Bengal.
Under the influence of the circulations, scattered and widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning are very likely over Kerala and Lakshadweep during next five days. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala on Sunday.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has issued a yellow alert warning of isolated heavy showers in Pathnamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki on Sunday. The extended rain forecast issued by the IMD for next two weeks has also predicted above normal rainfall over Kerala and Mahe and Lakshadweep during the next week and normal rainfall in the second week.
