Heavy rain lashed Kerala on Friday as a low-pressure system began to evolve over the south-east Arabian Sea off the State’s coast.
The evolving system, according to the numerical weather prediction models of the India Meteorology Department, is forecast to intensify into depression by Sunday, moving in the meantime northwards parallel to the west coast.
It is predicted to weaken quickly as it draws into its vortex dry air from the northwest.
This system could keep the southwest monsoon vigorous over Kerala till Sunday.
During the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, several centres in the State south of Thrissur experienced heavy to very heavy rain. Kayamkulam, Mancompu, and Kumarakom recorded 13 cm of rainfall each; Punalur and Vaikom 12 cm each; Thiruvananthapuram and Mavelikara 11 cm each; Kollam 10 cm; Kochi 8 cm, and Kurudamannil and Irinjalakuka 7 cm each.
During daytime on Friday, heavy rain spread northwards to cover almost the entire State.
One deadA 69-year-old resident of Aryanad village in Thiruvananthapuram district died in hospital on Friday from injuries sustained when his house collapsed in the heavy downpour on Thursday night.
Low-lying areas in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kozhikode districts were flooded in the rain.
Since Pathanamthitta district had been experiencing heavy rainfall since Thursday, the Pampa, Achencoil, and Manimala rivers originating from there were swollen on Friday.
With more rain to follow in this vigorous monsoon spell, flood threat looms over Kuttanad, where these rivers empty into the backwaters. Minor landslips occurred in the hilly areas of Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts. There was no loss of life.
Caution urgedDisaster management authorities have asked people living in landslip-prone-slops of the hill districts to be alert and move to safer places till the weather clears.
