- विज्ञापन -
Kerala: Kerala has officially experienced the start of the South West Monsoon, ahead of schedule, marking the beginning of the crucial four-month rainy season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the monsoon arrived on May 24, the earliest since 2009, surpassing the usual start date of June 1.
Initially, IMD had predicted the onset around May 27, with a margin of error of four days, making this early arrival noteworthy. The monsoon’s commencement signals its northward movement, gradually covering the rest of India through June and reaching the farthest regions by mid-July.
IMD officials noted that the official declaration was based on meeting specific meteorological criteria, including rainfall at over 60% of the designated stations across Kerala, suitable wind conditions up to 600 hPa, zonal wind speeds of 15-20 knots at 925 hPa, and low Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) levels below 200 W/m².
Since Friday, widespread rains have affected various parts of Kerala, causing waterlogging, road closures, and fallen trees, which have disrupted vehicular traffic. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan assured that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urged residents to exercise caution and stay updated on weather and traffic conditions, especially when traveling long distances.
