Kerala: Rain deficiency down to 29% as monsoon gains strength

KOCHI: Heavy rains lashed several districts in the state on Monday even as the southwest monsoon continued to be active, bringing down the overall rainfall deficiency this season to 29% from the 70% recorded last week. The total rainfall received by the state from June 1 to July 22 is 831.6mm.
Red alert has been sounded for north Kerala districts of Kannur and Kasaragod for Tuesday while orange alert has been sounded for Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. The India meteorological department (IMD) has warned of strong westerlies with speed reaching up to 40-50 kmph along and off Kerala coast. Sea condition will be rough to very rough. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea. High waves in the range of 3.5- 4.1 meters are forecast till July 23 midnight along the coast of Kerala from Pozhiyoor to Kasaragod.
Idukki district witnessed heavy rainfall on Monday. While Peermade taluk received 73mm rainfall, Udumbanchola got 21mm rain. Devikulam (54mm), Thodupuzha (67mm) and Idukki (49mm) taluks also experienced heavy showers. The water level in Idukki dam rose nearly by two feet for the last 24 hours to reach 2,311.38ft on Monday.
Meanwhile, the water level in Mullapperiyar dam rose to 113.6ft on Monday. Power generation was reduced at Moolamattam power station, giving thrust to maximum storage of water and on Sunday only 1.769mu were generated.
Skymet weather said moderate to heavy rains with one or two very heavy spells were expected over Kerala and coastal Karnataka on Tuesday. By July 24-25, the intensity of rains will decrease over Karnataka and Kerala but is expected to increase over Telangana.
The private weather agency said that between July 26 and 28, a significant drop in rain activities will be seen in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Vadakara (Kozhikode) recorded 20cm of rain while Quilandy (Kozhikode received 12cm of rain. Piravom (Ernakulam), Hosdurg and Kudulu (both in Kasaragod) recorded 11 cm each and Kochi airport and Aluva (Ernakulam) got 10cm of rain each. Perumbavur (Ernakulam), Irikkur and Taliparamba (Kannur) received 9cm rain each.
Relief camps have been opened in some of the districts after homes were flooded. In Thrissur district, nine relief camps were opened and 90 people from 26 families have been shifted to the camps. Water level in Peechi, Vazhani, Chimony, Sholayar and Poringalkoothu dams are rising.
In Kottayam district, 12 relief camps were opened. The most affected region was Kottayam taluk as Meenachil river overflowed at many places. In Ernakulam district, five families were shifted to temporary camps in North Paravur. Three shutters of Malankara dam remained open. Though Alappazha did not experience heavy rainfall on Monday, low-lying areas of Kuttanad were flooded. Some portions of Alappuzha-Changanassery Road was inundated after rainwater from adjacent districts flowed down to Kuttanad.