Heavy Rainfall Likely in Drought-Hit States of South India

Thiruvananthapuram: The five major states of the southern peninsula—Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—received below-normal rainfall during this year's Southwest Monsoon season. This deficit not only reduced the sowing area for Kharif crops but also hampered their progress; however, the Meteorological Department has now issued a warning for extremely heavy rainfall in these regions.

According to the Meteorological Department, extremely heavy rainfall is also likely in the eastern coastal states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, raising the likelihood of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in the coastal states.

The Southwest Monsoon has begun its withdrawal from the northwestern region of the country, and conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for its exit. The monsoon is expected to withdraw from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab in the coming days and exit the entire country by October 15. However, during this withdrawal phase, the monsoon may bring heavy rainfall to several states—including those in South India that have been grappling with a severe drought.