Northeast Monsoon Heads Toward Kerala and Karnataka

Thiruvananthapuram: The Northeast monsoon, which became active on October 15–16, spent the first two days over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, and coastal Andhra Pradesh; it is now expected to advance toward Kerala and Karnataka during the current week. In Karnataka, where the Southwest monsoon brought deficient rainfall, farmers have high hopes for the Northeast monsoon. Meanwhile, in Kerala, the rainfall could prove to be a boon for spice crops—particularly small cardamom and black pepper—as well as plantation crops such as tea, coffee, areca nut, and rubber. The harvesting and processing of cardamom have already begun there, while the black pepper harvest is expected to take place in November–December. Black pepper crops in Karnataka are also in dire need of rain; the state is the country’s leading producer of black pepper.

On October 17 (Saturday), the Northeast monsoon intensified significantly, resulting in extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 12 cm) in Tamil Nadu, and heavy rainfall (7–11 cm) across coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana, and southern interior Karnataka. This rainfall has provided relief to Kharif crops and has also helped raise water levels in dams and reservoirs.

According to the Meteorological Department, the Northeast monsoon is becoming increasingly intense, concentrated, and robust across various parts of South India. Currently, there is no discernible negative impact from the El Niño weather pattern. Over the next four to five days, heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala, Mahe, southern interior Karnataka, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and surrounding regions.