The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon `normal' in Kerala

Kerala has had a `normal' southwest monsoon this year, with the negative deviation from the long-term average being restricted to within six per cent.

In meteorological parlance, deviation of rainfall within - 19 per cent to +19 per cent of the long-term average is considered normal, said Mr K. Santhosh, Director, Met Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

All districts received normal rainfall except Wayanad, where it was deficient (-35 per cent). The actual rainfall for the whole State during June to September was 202 cm, which is 94 per cent of the normal rainfall of 214 cm. This is in agreement with the India Meteorological Department's long-range forecasts. Last year, the State had received 224 cm of rain, which was five per cent more than the normal, Mr Santhosh said.

Mr Santhosh said the southwest monsoon rains commenced six days ahead of the normal on May 26.

The season contributes 70 per cent of the State's annual rainfall of 310 cm.

The month of June saw the State record normal rainfall with Alappuzha, Idukki, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad districts receiving deficient rainfall. The actual average rainfall received was 58 cm against the normal of 68 cm.

July proves bad

The activity continued to be normal from July 1-19. But thereafter, the rains were scarce and the State had to contend with deficient rainfall for the rest of the month. The districts of Idukki, Kollam, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta were exceptions, where it was normal.

The realised rainfall was 57 cm against the monthly normal of 76 cm.

Conditions reversed

The conditions were reversed in August, when the State received normal rainfall with excess precipitation in Thrissur district but deficient falls in Idukki, Kasaragod, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad. It was normal in the remaining districts.

But the monsoon revved up by the middle of August and running into September. Some deficiency was palpable in early September, but it became a thing of the past as the month progressed into the latter half. Rains began to pour in torrents and soaked the State, ending up 83 per cent above the monthly normal.

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