Heavy Rainfall in South India Due to Northeast Monsoon

Thiruvananthapuram: The Northeast Monsoon has been active over the southern peninsula of the country since October 16, bringing intense rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other southern states. Prior to this, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had formally announced the complete withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon from the country on October 15.

In the middle of last week, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal experienced rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy. The rain also extended to the southern coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, followed by heavy downpours in the southern interior of Karnataka. Meanwhile, in West Bengal (eastern India), significant rainfall provided relief to the paddy crop.

According to the Meteorological Department, the country received approximately 85 percent of its long-period average rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season (June 4 to October 15, 2026). All attention is now focused on the Northeast Monsoon. There are concerns that Kharif crops in South India could be adversely affected due to a significant rainfall deficit; some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat also experienced lower-than-normal rainfall.

In South India, the cultivation of crops like wheat, barley, mustard, lentils, and peas is either non-existent or negligible during the Rabi season, and the area under coarse cereals is also limited. However, the region sees significant cultivation of crops such as paddy, chickpeas (chana), black gram (urad), green gram (moong), sunflower, and groundnuts. The Northeast Monsoon is the primary source of rainfall for South India. Favorable conditions have now developed in the Bay of Bengal, and good rainfall is expected soon across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.