Wet season likely to persist in Kochi for a few more days

September 16, 2011 12:25 pm | Updated 12:25 pm IST - KOCHI:

RAINY DAYS: Heavy rain has been throwing life out of gear in the city for the past few days. A view from the coast. Photo: K.K. Mustafah

RAINY DAYS: Heavy rain has been throwing life out of gear in the city for the past few days. A view from the coast. Photo: K.K. Mustafah

Life in Kochi and the State is likely to be wet for at least a few more days with weathermen predicting more rain. During the last 24 hours, Kochi received 1.2 cm rain.

The monsoon current is strong over Kerala and this may bring rain for at least two to three days, said P.V. Joseph, former director of the Indian Meteorological Department. The currents, which were strong during the pre-Onam days, weakened during Onam. However, they picked up strength after Onam bringing in more rain to the State, he said.

Analysis of rainfall data indicated that Kerala received an excess of nine per cent rain from June 1 to September 7 this year. The rain data are likely to show an upward trend considering the heavy rain the State received during the past few days. The national rainfall statistics estimated the rain as in excess of three per cent countrywide. The latest weather reports will be released on Friday, he said.

The current spell of rain that Kerala is receiving is part of the Southwest monsoon. The State normally gets rain from the Southwest monsoon till mid-October. The Indian Meteorological Department is yet to pronounce the withdrawal of monsoon, which will bring the second spell of rain to Kerala.

Weather reports indicated that Southwest monsoon was active over Kerala on Thursday. Rain occurred at most places in Lakshadweep. While Thaliparamba in Kannur received 8 cm rain, Kudulu in Kasaragod got 7 cm rain. Irikkur and Hosdurg got 6 cm rain each followed by Kannur (5 cm) and Kollam and Kavaratti (4 cm each), and Alappuzha and Ponnani (3 cm) each, according to Indian Meteorological Department.

Weathermen have predicted rain and thundershower in most places in Kerala and at many places in Lakshadweep till Saturday.

Isolated heavy rainfall will occur in Kerala during the next 48 hours. Weather conditions are unlikely to undergo any significant changes till September 19, a communication said.

Fishermen were advised to exercise caution while venturing into the sea as “strong onshore winds from northwesterly direction with speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 km/h is likely along and off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area during the next 24 hours.”

The increased rain has lowered the atmospheric temperature in Kochi by 2 degree Celsius during the past 24 hours. The maximum temperature recorded was 27.6 degree Celsius, which was 2 degree Celsius less than the normal.

The continuing rain has been a cause of worry for the civic authorities of Kochi. The news that the State government has sanctioned over Rs. 30 crore for the roadworks in the city failed to cheer up the civic authorities. As it is raining continuously, the Corporation is unable to take up the major road repair works, said Soumini Jain, chairperson of the Works Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation. However, the Corporation is carrying out the levelling of roads using rubble in areas wherever it is required, she said.

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