After a dry start to the 2022 summer season, Kerala is now experiencing one of the wettest summer rainfall episodes in recent years.
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The State has recorded 129% excess rainfall between March 1 and April 14, with 11 districts recording 'large excess' or more than 60% excess rainfall. The remaining three districts - Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur - have recorded 'excess' rainfall.
In the matter of summer rainfall, northern-most Kasaragod leads with a stunning 569% excess, recording 172.7 mm rainfall against 25.8 mm, the 'normal rainfall' expected during this period. The summer season had kicked off on a dry note and the sweltering heat had pushed up electricity consumption to record levels in March.
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Electricity usage stood at 89.6 million units (MU) on March 15, which is an all-time high for the State. Summer rainfall had gained in strength in April, powered by cyclonic circulations which persisted over the region. Officials of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that thundershowers are expected to continue in the days ahead.
Yellow alert
Several districts can expect isolated heavy rainfall (6.4 cm to 11.5 cm in a 24-hour period) till Sunday, according to the IMD. Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Palakkad and Malappuram are on yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall on Friday. Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kannur are on yellow alert on Saturday, and Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur on Sunday.
Power consumption
With the advent of cooler weather, power consumption has plummeted in the State, easing the strain on power supply. During March and the initial days of April, daily consumption had remained above the 80 MU mark. With the steady rainfall bringing cooler weather, consumption has now dipped below 80 MUs. On April 12, consumption stood at 77.9 MU and on April 13, 76.57 MU.
The combined storage in the reservoirs of hydel projects of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) stood at 44% on Wednesday, equivalent to 1,822.8 MU, which is the second highest since 2016-17.
Lightning alert
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), citing IMD rainfall alerts, has warned the public to be on guard against the possibility of lightning, especially between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.