Monsoon yet to gain strength

By Jisha Surya

Five days after the onset of monsoon, the state is yet to wake up from the summer slumber. Monsoon has been deficient in the state since the onset on June 5. Except Kozhikode, all other districts recorded deficient or scanty rainfall this season. The state received 45 percent deficient rainfall. Against the normal rainfall of 173 mm, state recorded only 94 mm rainfall in the first five days of monsoon season.

However, officials of India Meteorological Department said monsoon will regain strength in the coming days. “Monsoon was weak on Friday. Only seven stations in the state recorded rainfall above 1 cm. Wind was not favourable. However, monsoon is showing an increasing trend. Usually it takes some time to make up during delayed onset,” said P S Biju, scientist at India Meteorological Department, Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha and Wayand recorded scanty rainfall these days. All these district recorded less than 30 percent rainfall. Thiruvananthapuram recorded only 22 mm rainfall against the normal 132 mm. Kollam got only 31 mm rainfall against the normal 150 mm rainfall. Kozhikode is the only exception. It got 235 mm rainfall while the normal is 242 mm.

The Met officials are expecting widespread rainfall in the coming days. The officials maintained that weak rainfall is not a sign of deficient monsoon. “Monsoon activity is normal. There will be gradual increase in rainfall activity,” Biju said.

Monsoon reached the state on June 5, four days after the expected date. The rainfall was weak especially in the northern district. Monsoon was weak in the entire state on Friday. Only Vellanikkara in Thrissur reporter 2 cm rainfall.