SW Monsoon vigorous; Heavy rainfall in many parts of Kerala

With Southwest Monsoon becoming vigorous over Kerala, the state and union territory of Lakshadweep received heavy rains today.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been reported from various districts, creating waterlogs in many low-lying areas.
According to the figures of Meteorological Department here, Nilambur in Malappuram district and Peermade in Idukki received the highest rainfall-17 cm each.
Konni in Pathanamthitta district (10 cm), Vadakara in Kozhikode (9cm) and Minicoy (Lakshadweep), Kurudamannil (Pathanamthitta district) and Punalur (Kollam district) also received heavy rains-7 cm each, the figures said.
According to IMD forecast, heavy rainfall is most likely to occur at one or two places in Kerala and Lakshadweep till tomorrow morning.

The rains have come as a relief to the state which had registered a 25 per cent dip in the rainfall between June 1-August 23 this year.

The districts, where the major hydel projects are located, specially received lower rainfall during the period-- 28 per cent in Idukki district, 55 per cent in Wayanad and 31 per cent in Thiruvananthapuram, a government statement said.
Only 42 per cent water is left in major dams in the state, which is a dip of about 10-20 per cent in the storage level.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, quoting various agencies, has already warned that if the state does not receive ample rainfall this month, the situation would be extremely grave.

The government has already taken steps on a war footing to tackle the situation, he said.