KOCHI: With the setting in of northeasterly winds over the Bay of Bengal and extreme south peninsular India, the southwest monsoon is likely to withdraw from the entire country during the next 48 hours.
A cyclonic circulation over the Lakshadweep area also persists. These events will trigger isolated heavy rainfall and even very heavy rainfall in the next two days in the state till Oct 28. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are very likely in many parts of Kerala.
Yellow alerts for isolated heavy rainfall have been issued for 11 districts in the state except Alappuzha, Kannur and Kasaragod on Monday.
Orange alerts have been sounded for four districts, including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki, on Oct 26 and yellow alerts for remaining districts except Kannur and Kasaragod. On Oct 27, the rainfall activity, which includes isolated heavy rainfall warning, covers the entire state except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon has been active over Kerala. Rain occurred at most places in the state and many places in Lakshadweep. In the 24-hour rainfall recorded on Sunday, Konni received 13cm while Thodupuzha recorded 9cm. Punalur, Neyyattinkara and Kottarakkara received 7cm each.
Skymet weather said that this year withdrawal of the southwest monsoon has been significantly delayed. Cyclonic circulation and low-pressure areas did not allow northeasterly winds to set in. As of now, there is no significant weather system in the Bay of Bengal, which would obstruct the flow of northeasterly winds.
