RAINFALL IN KERALA

Oct. 18, 2021

After two years, rain fury and floods have returned to haunt parts of central and southern Kerala districts. In Kottayam district — among the worst-hit — the Army and the Air Force have been deployed to carry out rescue operations.

About:

Flash floods, mudslides and landslides were reported in most districts located between central and southern Kerala, which included Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Is the rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon withdrawal?

This year, the southwest monsoon withdrawal has been significantly delayed. It has withdrawn completely from west, north, central and eastern India regions, but continues to remain active in the southern peninsula.
With the withdrawal entering the peninsula regions, southern states, including Kerala, have reported thunderstorms for over a week now.
But, the rainfall during the last four days is mainly a localised phenomenon triggered due to the low-pressure system formed in the Arabian Sea.

Reason

A low pressure system developed in the east-central Arabian Sea on October 14. This system moved closer to Kerala coast and triggered severe weather.
Under the influence of this system, Kerala experienced heavy to very heavy rain (115.5mm to 204.4mm in 24-hours), and extremely heavy rain (over 204.4mm in 24-hours) in at least six of its southern districts since Thursday.

Source : Indian Express