Keralam may witness early summer-like conditions this year as rain deficit set to widen further
Kerala is experiencing a 22% rainfall deficit as the monsoon season nears its end, with forecasts suggesting further declines in September. Experts warn that this could lead to early summer-like conditions and may be influenced by El Niño and a weak Indian Ocean Dipole.
Why it matters
A significant monsoon shortfall poses risks to agriculture, water security, and energy production in the state.
After three months of the southwest monsoon season, Keralam is now staring at a deficient season, with rainfall already 22% below normal as the four-month rainy season enters its final lap. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) monthly outlook has forecast below-normal rainfall for September, raising the prospect of the monsoon ending the season with a significant shortfall and paving the way for early summer-like conditions in the State.
Private weather forecasting agency Skymet had earlier downgraded its monsoon forecast for the country to drought, projecting seasonal rainfall at 85% of the Long Period Average (LPA) and putting the probability of a drought at 70%.
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