Weak monsoon dims Kerala's farm, power outlook

After its delayed onset, South West Monsoon has remained weak over Kerala resulting in a 22 per deficiency in rainfall, causing concern to the farming and power sectors.
According to the Meteorological Centre here, the state received a rainfall of 265.1 mm against the normal 365 mm from June 1 to 18.
Monsoon hit Kerala on June 6, deviating by five days from the normal onset date. Since then Most districts including Alappuzha, Wayanad, Idukki, Kollam, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, have recorded shortfall in rains.
Palakkad, known as Kerala's "granary" , registered 52 per cent deficiency in the rainfall, Thiruvananthapuram 56, Kollam 39, Wayanad 35, Alappuza 22, Pathanamthitta 22, Malappuram 33 and Thrissur 20 per cent.

The situation was slightly better in parts of north and central districts like Kannur, Kasaragod, Ernakulam and Kottayam.
Idukki District, where the state's major hydro electric projects are located, recorded a deficient rainfall of 52 per cent so far this season.

Last year, the area received heavy rainfall replenishing the reservoirs which significantly helped improve the power scenario.
However, the state is already on the verge of a serious power crisis as the monsoon fails to pick up momentum.
With the storage level in reservoirs going down and some of a major power station under maintenance, a 45-minute peak hour load-shedding is already in force in the state.

According to Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) sources, if the current situation prolongs, the state would be facing a grim power crunch, forcing it to make up the demand-supply gap by borrowal from central pool and other sources at a higher price.
Meanwhile, the daily bulletin issued by the meteorological centre here today said very heavy rainfall was recorded at Irikkur in Kannur (19 cm), Pookot in Wayanad district (18 cm) and Nilambur in Malappuram District (16 cm).
Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast at isolated places in the state till June 22, it added.