Monsoon strengthens over Kerala

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/14/stories/2010061457830400.htm
My monsoon story in The Hindu on June 14:

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The weather models of the India Meteorology Department (IMD), based on Sunday's atmospheric conditions, forecast continued heavy rainfall for Kerala during the next three days.

Heavy rainfall is likely in isolated places, especially in north Kerala. The winds from the Arabian Sea have been blowing at velocities touching 45 to 55 km across the breadth of the State during the last couple of days and substantial rainfall could therefore occur in the high ranges of the State also.

There have already been a couple of cases of landslides during the current surge of the monsoon. Landslide-prone areas in Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts may require attention during the remaining phase of the ongoing surge.

The IMD's models on Sunday dropped the expectation of the formation of a depression in the Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast by Saturday/Sunday. But the low pressure system in position over west central Bay of Bengal for the last three days was still persisting on Sunday, siphoning the southwest monsoon flow across the peninsula. An offshore trough is also in position along the west coast causing the rain clouds to churn and precipitate.

The IMD's models indicate the possibility of the monsoon flow intensifying during the next 2-3 days. Very heavy rainfall was recorded during the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Sunday in Kozhikode and Perinthalmanna (18 cm each), Kozhikode airport and Mannarkkad (17 cm each), Manjeri (11 cm) and Koyilandy, Thrissur, Vellanikkara and Peerumedu (10 cm each). Rainfall was evenly spread out across the length and breadth of the State, although the heavier of the downpours were mostly in north Kerala.

The Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre in its bulletin for the day said the winds could touch speeds ranging between 50 km and 60 km an hour along and off the coast of Kerala during the next two days. Fishermen have been warned.

A fisherman, Sunil Babu, drowned in the seas off the Kozhikode coast on Sunday when high waves shattered his boat.

Landslips in the hills near Thodupuzha in Idukki district destroyed crops on nearly 50 hectares, besides damaging a few houses. High waves are eroding stretches of the coast in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thrissur districts.

The rivers Pampa, Achencoil, Manimala and Meenachal flowing into the paddy belt of Kuttanad are beginning to rise threateningly.

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