- In the second week of August, the state received 250% more
rainfall than usual, leading to massive flooding. - However, in the first week of September, total rainfall in the state plummeted by 86% to 7.9mm.
- The drop in rainfall also comes at a time when
Kerala ’s groundwater levels have depleted, topsoil has been eroded and average daily temperatures have risen.
The rains slowly abated in the third and fourth weeks of August which allowed rescue and relief efforts to accelerate. However, since the start of September, the state’s rainfall has declined to an extent that no one expected. Between 30 August and 5 September, total rainfall fell 86% to 7.9mm, according to the IMD.
This is the first real drop in rainfall since the
The drop in rainfall also comes at a time when Kerala’s groundwater levels have depleted. The flooding has led to the erosion of topsoil all over the state, which hinders the infiltration of water. This, coupled with a rise in the average daily temperatures and declining river flow has lead to difficult conditions in some parts of the state.
While rainfall is expected to pick up later this month, a subdued showing could lead to a partial
The floods might have receded. But Kerala’s problems could be far from over.