Keralam received 1,367.1 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon from June 1 to August 31, which was 22 per cent below the normal rainfall of 1,746.8 mm, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
The rainfall was classified as “deficient” for the state during the period.
Among the districts, Wayanad recorded the highest deficit of 50 per cent, receiving 1,090.1 mm against the normal 2,200.9 mm. Idukki followed with a 44 per cent deficit, recording 1,239.2 mm against the normal 2,203.3 mm.
Kollam recorded a 30 per cent deficit, receiving 719.6 mm against the normal 1,031 mm, while Alappuzha received 1,031.7 mm, 25 per cent below its normal rainfall of 1,370.7 mm.
Palakkad received 1,037.1 mm, 23 per cent below its normal rainfall of 1,349.2 mm, while Thrissur recorded a 22 per cent deficit, receiving 1,425.2 mm against the normal 1,838.3 mm.
Malappuram recorded a 20 per cent deficit, receiving 1,369.1 mm against the normal 1,702.3 mm. Ernakulam received 1,454 mm, 19 per cent below its normal rainfall of 1,796.1 mm.
Several districts, however, recorded rainfall within the normal category. Kannur received 2,194 mm against the normal 2,349.7 mm, a deficit of seven per cent, while Kasaragod recorded a 12 per cent deficit, receiving 2,254.8 mm against the normal 2,576.8 mm.
Kozhikode received 2,023.6 mm against the normal 2,273.2 mm, a deficit of 11 per cent. Kottayam recorded 1,515.5 mm against the normal 1,610.4 mm, a six per cent deficit.
Pathanamthitta received 1,293.3 mm against the normal 1,321.5 mm, a two per cent deficit, while Thiruvananthapuram recorded 661.6 mm against the normal 666.3 mm, just one per cent below normal.
Lakshadweep also recorded deficient rainfall during the period, receiving 635.1 mm against the normal 856.9 mm, a deficit of 26 per cent.
Mahe received 1,806 mm against the normal 2,128 mm, a 15 per cent deficit, but was classified as having normal rainfall.
The southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala around June 1.
The IMD had forecast below-normal rainfall for the 2026 monsoon season.
-PTI
