With the southwest monsoon relentlessly unleashing its fury over Kerala, the State has registered an excess rainfall of 20% during the period from June 1 to July 25.
According to the season’s rainfall data issued by the India Meteorology Department, the State as a whole received 1,507.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 1,255.2 mm. Idukki recorded the highest excess rainfall of 49% during the season, followed by Kottayam with 43%, Palakkad with 41%, and Ernakulam with 39%.
Three districts registered less than normal rainfall, Kasaragod topping the list with a deficit of 12%, followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur with 5% each.
Kozhikode district received the highest rainfall of 2,016.3 mm during the period. Idukki registered the second highest of 1,923.1 mm, followed by Kannur with 1,873.7 mm and Wayanad (1,802.2). The southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram (504.3) and Kollam (871.6) recorded the lowest seasonal rainfall.
Lakshadweep, however, registered a rainfall deficit of 40%, receiving only 348.3 mm against a normal of 577.7 mm.
Storage position
The excess rainfall of the season is filling up the hydel reservoirs in the State at a fast pace, forcing the government to ramp up preparations to release water. On Saturday, the storage position in the hydel reservoirs under the Kerala State Electricity Board had risen to 90% of their capacity. The 16 reservoirs held enough water to generate 3722.987 million units of electricity, up from 1038.993 mu last year.
The Idukki reservoir, the largest in the State, had a storage of 89% of its capacity on Saturday, enough to generate 1957.59 mu. The water level in the Idukki reservoir was 729.624 metres, against a full reservoir level of 732.43 m. The Sholayar, Thariode, Poringal and Lower Periyar reservoirs were filled to capacity.
According to the system statistics of the State Load Despatch Centre, Kalamassery, the daily average hydel generation in the State is 25.6 mu, against a consumption of 61.8 mu. The State currently imports an average of 34.13 mu of power every day.
Heavy rain warning
Meanwhile, the Met Centre here has issued a heavy rainfall warning for the State. According to the forecast, one or two places in Kerala are likely to receive heavy rainfall (7-11 cm in 24 hours) till the morning of August 1. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the Southwest, Central and North Arabian Sea upto 2 p.m. on Monday due to strong winds and rough seas.