Monsoon season in Kerala comes twice a year. The exact criteria for a normal monsoon are defined by the Indian Meteorological Department with calculations for the mean and standard deviation of each of these variables.[28]. Between the two monsoon seasons, the temperature remains cool in most parts of Kerala. This causes the flow of moisture-laden winds from sea to land. The dynamic theory explains the monsoon as a global weather phenomenon rather than just a local one. [29], As with ENSO, the atmospheric component of the IOD was later discovered and the cumulative phenomenon named Equatorial Indian Ocean oscillation (EQUINOO). Precipitation then occurs on the windward side of the highlands because of adiabatic cooling and condensation of the moist rising air. Although the southwest and northeast monsoon winds are seasonally reversible, they do cause precipitation on their own. Third, they contribute to the convergence of the Bay of Bengal branch and Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon winds, increasing the intensity of precipitation over the northern part of the subcontinent. This criticism does not deny the role of differential heating of sea and land in generating monsoon winds, but casts it as one of several factors rather than the only one. Kerala was also flooded in 2018 and 2019. Kerala's rains are mostly the result of seasonal monsoons. This has a cascading effect on the secondary economic sectors, the overall economy, food inflation, and therefore the general population's quality and cost of living. Over India, a subtropical westerly jet develops in the winter season and is replaced by the tropical easterly jet in the summer season. The monsoon turns large parts of India from semi-deserts into green grasslands. Author: Devanshy at Malayalam Wikipedia: Licensing . This theory tries to explain the establishment of the northeast and southwest monsoons, as well as unique features like "bursting" and variability. Most of the coastal rivers of Western India are also rain-fed and monsoon-dependent. As such, it affects the environment (and associated flora, fauna, and ecosystems), agriculture, society, hydro-power production, and geography of the subcontinent (like the availability of fresh water in water bodies and the underground water table), with all of these factors cumulatively contributing to the health of the economy of affected countries. This season ( Edavappathi - as the rains starts by the middle of the Malayalam month Edavam ) begins by the end of May or early June with the outset of the southwest monsoon winds. See photos taken only three months apart in the Western Ghats. The unique geographic relief features of the Indian subcontinent come into play in allowing all of the above factors to occur simultaneously. [4] On 9 August 2020, 49 people died during a landslide at a tea plantation in Rajamala. Consequently, with the ITCZ at the Tropic of Cancer, the southeast trade winds of the Southern Hemisphere have to cross the equator to reach it. Hanging an ideal balance in between the unsmooth areas and therefore in the coastal region, Monsoon in Kerala square measure majorly of 2 varieties. The jet stream theory also explains the variability in timing and strength of the monsoon. Monsoon in Kerala. New Delhi: Kerala, one of the southernmost states of India that shares its coastline with the Arabian Sea, has experienced numerous floods in the past.Monsoon has wreaked havoc in âGodâs Own Countryâ for decades and what we see today is just another paradigm of natureâs fury. The normal onset date of Southwest Monsoon over Kerala is June 1. As such, the shift of the jet is sudden and abrupt, causing the bursting of southwest monsoon rains onto the Indian plains. Despite decreased rains, light to moderate rain with one or two heavy spells will continue during the next few days over Coastal Karnataka and Kerala. [3] On the same day, the Air India Express Flight 1344 carrying 191 people crashed in Kerala, resulting in the death of 18 people and the wounding of several others. 545 Relief Camps were opened by the Government of Kerala and 12121 inmates were admitted into these relief camps. The northward shift is not a slow and gradual process, as expected for most changes in weather pattern. [50], The onset of the monsoon increases fungal and bacterial activity. With the northward shift of the vertical sun, this jet shifts north, too. The ITCZ, as the zone of lowest pressure in the tropical region, is the target destination for the trade winds of both hemispheres. [42], The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) at Bengaluru facilitated the Seasonal Prediction of Indian Monsoon (SPIM) experiment on the PARAM Padma supercomputing system. Meanwhile, there has been a three-fold rise in widespread extreme rainfall events during the years 1950 to 2015, over the entire central belt of India, leading to a steady rise in the number of flash floods with significant socioeconomic losses. There have been books written and films made which showcase the beauty of the state during the season. In 2003, IMD substantially changed its forecast methodology, model,[44] and administration. Also known as the thermal theory or the differential heating of sea and land theory, the traditional theory portrays the monsoon as a large-scale sea breeze. One major drawback of traveling during the monsoon is that most wildlife sanctuaries are closed. The prevailing winds of the atmospheric circulation arise because of the difference in pressure at various latitudes and act as means for distribution of thermal energy on the planet. The relevant features in explaining the monsoon mechanism are as follows: Pink arrow: Southwest monsoon wind direction; green arrow: northeast monsoon wind direction. The department has tried to forecast the monsoon for India since 1884,[41] and is the only official agency entrusted with making public forecasts about the quantity, distribution, and timing of the monsoon rains. A good monsoon results in better agricultural yields, which brings down prices of essential food commodities and reduces imports, thus reducing food inflation overall. But with continuous dropping pressure, sufficient force is created for the movement of the westerly jet across the Himalayas after a significant period. Date: 8 July 2007: Source: Transferred from ml.wikipedia to Commons by Sreejithk2000 using CommonsHelper. [11][24][25] Its withdrawal from India typically starts at the beginning of September and finishes by the beginning of October. These include diseases such as dengue, malaria, cholera, and colds. These are the most monitored components of the monsoon, and they determine the water availability in India for any given year. [49] Better rains also result in increased hydroelectric production. [14][15] Similarly, the burst of the northeast monsoon refers to an abrupt increase in the mean daily rainfall over the affected regions. [2] As a security measure during the prevailing situation of heavy rains, the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for the 3 districts of Wayanad, Kozhikkode and Idukki. All of these factors have positive ripple effects throughout the economy of India. And when coupled with the traditional theory (based on the heating of sea and land), it enhances the explanation of the varying intensity of monsoon precipitation along the coastal regions with orographic barriers. The main types are the polar jets, the subtropical westerly jets, and the less common tropical easterly jets. In Kerala , people enjoy a very moderate climate. [26][27], The northeast monsoon usually "bursts" around 20 October and lasts for about 50 days before withdrawing. Consequently, the air above coastal lands heats up faster than the air above seas. Orographic barriers force wind to rise. Now also, Monsoon is yet to mark its onset in Kerala. [43] [41] At least five prediction models exist. The mechanism affecting the monsoon is that the westerly jet causes high pressure over northern parts of the subcontinent during the winter. [29] The relationship between extremes of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, along with ENSO and EQUINOO,[32] have been studied, and models to better predict the quantity of monsoon rains have been statistically derived.[32]. Monsoon clouds - panoramio.jpg 1,600 × 1,200; 349 KB Monsoon Clouds Over Kochi.jpg 1,029 × 683; 130 KB Rainbow - Kochi from top of a building 01.jpg 3,264 × 1,840; 2.25 MB As such, during the northern summer (May and June), the ITCZ moves north, along with the vertical sun, toward the Tropic of Cancer. This causes the winds to blow over the Indian subcontinent toward the Indian Ocean in a northeasterly direction, causing the northeast monsoon. [citation needed], Seasonal Prediction of Indian Monsoon (SPIM), The name of the wind is based on the direction that it blows, First, the Himalayas serve as orographic barriers to the southwest monsoon winds. Monsoon season in Kerala is a unique experience. Prior to onset of Monsoon, pre-Monsoon weather activities pick up pace and the entire state of Kerala experiences intense rain showers. They receive more than 11,000 millimeters of rain each from the monsoon. [52] Additionally, farmers rendered jobless by failed monsoon rains tend to migrate to cities. The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through Shirali, Hassan, Mysuru, Kodaikanal, and Tuticorin.Moreover, conditions are now conducive for the further advancement of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of South India and may even touch parts of Northeast ⦠The Himalayas play more than the role of orographic barriers for the monsoon. The monsoon of western Sub-Saharan Africa is the result of the seasonal shifts of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the great seasonal temperature and humidity differences between the Sahara and the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. They also help confine it to the subcontinent. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Take a journey to this historic destination with your loved ones , famously known for the song from Bombay movie. Meanwhile, Monsoon rains may reduce marginally over Kerala and adjoining South Karnataka. The jet streams are systems of upper-air westerlies. This shift is due to the intense heating of the plateau during the summer months. Theories of the mechanism of the monsoon primarily try to explain the reasons for the seasonal reversal of winds and the timing of their reversal. The reverse shift happens for the northeast monsoon. [51], D. Subbarao, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, emphasized during a quarterly review of India's monetary policy that the lives of Indians depend on the performance of the monsoon. Kerala was also flooded in 2018 and 2019 . [1] Heavy rains in Idukki have caused severe landslide in Munnar in which at least 52 people died and nearly 19 were reported missing. An orange alert was also issued for five districts. The floods resulted in the death of at least 22 people. Kerala is one of the top destinations for tourists interested in Ayurvedic treatments and massage therapy. Several theories have been proposed to explain the origin, process, strength, variability, distribution, and general vagaries of the monsoon, but understanding and predictability are still evolving. Because the southwest monsoon flows from sea to land, it carries more moisture, and therefore causes more rain, than the northeast monsoon. An index to calculate it was also formulated. A recent assessment of the monsoonal changes indicate that the land warming has increased during 2002–2014, possibly reviving the strength of the monsoon circulation and rainfall. It states that during the hot subtropical summers, the massive landmass of the Indian Peninsula heats up at a different rate than the surrounding seas, resulting in a pressure gradient from south to north. This project involved simulated runs of historical data from 1985 to 2004 to try to establish the relationship of five atmospheric general circulation models with monsoon rainfall distribution.[42]. [Note 6] These pick up moisture while traveling from sea to land and cause orographic rain once they hit the highlands of the Indian Peninsula. Second, they help confine the winds to the subcontinent, hampering their northward progress. Monsoon is an ideal time for Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala, it is believed that Ayurveda therapies work best in the rainy season as the pores of the skin opens during this season. Find the perfect kerala monsoon stock photo. [16], One of the most commonly used words to describe the erratic nature of the monsoon is "vagaries", used in newspapers,[17] magazines,[18] books,[19] web portals[20] to insurance plans,[21] and India's budget discussions. 7. [29] A Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), based on the pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, has been formulated by the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia) to measure the strength of the oscillation. First observed by World War II pilots, they develop just below the tropopause over areas of steep pressure gradient on the surface. However, the agriculture sector still contributes 17-20% of GDP[49] and is the largest employer in the country, with about 60% of Indians dependent on it for employment and livelihood. A normal monsoon is generally accepted to be one involving close to the average quantity of precipitation over all the geographical locations under its influence (mean spatial distribution) and over the entire expected time period (mean temporal distribution). In India, which has historically had a primarily agrarian economy, the services sector recently overtook the farm sector in terms of GDP contribution. And Northeast monsoon, also known as the retreating monsoon, comes around October-November. On 7 August 2020, due to heavy rainfall in the monsoon season, severe floods affected Kerala , India. A positive IOD index often negates the effect of ENSO, resulting in increased monsoon rains in years such as 1983, 1994, and 1997. The next few months are periods of torrential rain. Striking a perfect balance between the hilly areas and the coastal region, monsoon in Kerala are majorly of two types. [13], The onset of the monsoon occurs over the Bay of Bengal in May,[13] arriving at the Indian Peninsula by June,[12] and then the winds move towards the South China Sea.[13]. [33] The observed monsoon rainfall indicates a gradual decline over central India, with a reduction of up to 10%. Also, some mountainous areas, especially in Himalayan regions, get cut off when roads are damaged by landslides and floods during heavy rains. Since 1950s, the South Asian summer monsoon has been exhibiting large changes, especially in terms of droughts and floods. [5] The state is reeling under damage to property worth Rs 19,000 crore, death of people, livestock and heavy loss to agriculture, especially in Kuttanad, Alappuzha, also known as ‘Kerala’s Rice Bowl’ and the state has submitted a comprehensive plan to Central government to improve the disaster management capacity of the state. Because more than half of these farmlands are rain-fed, the monsoon is critical to food sufficiency and quality of life. [29] When EQUINOO effects are factored in, certain failed forecasts, like the acute drought of 2002, can be further accounted for. But with the advent of globalization, such travel is gaining popularity. Westerly winds were exceptionally strong at the 850 hPa level, which helped the monsoon currents to penetrate into the ghats. The dry, northeasterly trade winds, and their more extreme form, the harmattan, are interrupted by the northern s⦠The effect is known to have a pronounced influence on the strength of the southwest monsoon over India, with the monsoon being weak (causing droughts) during El Niño years, while La Niña years bring particularly strong monsoons.[29]. Sometimes, despite average annual rainfall, the daily distribution or geographic distribution of the rain is substantially skewed. The primary cause is believed to be the height of the Himalayas. El Niño is a warm ocean current originating along the coast of Peru that replaces the usual cold Humboldt Current. It has a significant effect on the overall well-being of residents and has even been dubbed the "real finance minister of India".[4][5]. Its position as the sole authority on the monsoon was cemented in 2005[42] by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi. Without them, the southwest monsoon winds would blow right over the Indian subcontinent into, For the northeast monsoon, the highlands of the, This page was last edited on 8 January 2021, at 10:29. [Note 5] However, because of the Coriolis effect (which causes winds in the Northern Hemisphere to turn right, whereas winds in the Southern Hemisphere turn left), these southeast trade winds are deflected east in the Northern Hemisphere, transforming into southwest trades. [45] A sixteen-parameter monsoon forecasting model used since 1988 was replaced in 2003. To be in Kerala during the Onam festival is a delight. With the onset of southwest monsoon from the month of June until September, Kerala enjoys a pleasant climate with its average temperature ranging between 19 to 30 degrees. Indiaâs southern state of Kerala is suffering its worst monsoon flooding in a century, with more than one million people displaced, and more than 400 reported deaths in the past two weeks. Szczególnie silne opady miaÅy miejsce 8 sierpnia. The Western Ghats are the first highlands of India that the southwest monsoon winds encounter. With around 120â140 rainy days per year,: 80 Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon and northeast winter monsoon. Monsoon In Kerala, IndiaKerala receives most of its rainfall in two distinguished monsoon seasons. Onam Festivities Be part of the Onam festivities during your trip to Kerala . This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license. [23], Normally, the southwest monsoon can be expected to "burst" onto the western coast of India (near Thiruvananthapuram) at the beginning of June and to cover the entire country by mid-July. Kerala's State Disaster Management Authority, Kerala police along with the Indian Air Force, civilians, volunteers, fishermen from coastal Kerala are actively taking part in the rescue operations in flood-affected regions. [55] Geographical features of the Indian subcontinent. IOD develops in the equatorial region of the Indian Ocean from April to May and peaks in October. 2018 Kerala floods Date July 2018 (2018-07) â August 2018 Location Kerala, India Cause Low pressure Heavy rain Discharges Landslide Deaths 483 dead,140 went missing Property damage â¹ 400 billion (US$5.6 billion) (estimated) On 16 August 2018, severe floods affected the south Indian state Kerala, due to unusually high rainfall during the monsoon season. The floods resulted in the death of at least 22 people. The reduction in the summer monsoon rainfall have grave consequences over central India because at least 60% of the agriculture in this region is still largely rain-fed. Mid October witnesses the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon. geographical features of the Indian subcontinent, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Department of Science and Technology (DST), former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Districtwise Drought Climatology Of The Southwest Monsoon Season over India Based on Standardized Precipitation Index, "India cheers as monsoon arrives; hopes of better farm output raised", "India cheers as monsoon arrives in Kerala", "IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007, Glossary", "Class 9 CBSE Geography Climate The Mechanism of Monsoons - Wiki", "Agronomic Measures in Dryland Agriculture: An Overview", "Budget must focus on Growth, Food Inflation, FDI, Govt B/s: G Chokkalingam", "Monsoon withdrawal dates on Map of India", "Met. This results in the north-to-south flow of the winds in the form of the northeast monsoon. The dynamic theory explains the monsoon on the basis of the annual shifts in the position of global belts of pressure and winds. [159] However, invariably Monsoon arrives over the state before or after its normal onset date. [31] For example, the strong ENSO of 1997 did not cause drought in India. Monsoon rains are likely to hit the southern Kerala coast in two days, a top weather official said on Monday, easing concerns about the onset delay threatening plantings of ⦠Because of differences in the specific heat capacity of land and water, continents heat up faster than seas.