The rain triggered by the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has brought much-needed relief to Keralam, with widespread rainfall reported across most districts, bringing temperatures back to normal levels in several parts of the State. After nearly two weeks of summer-like conditions, the southwest monsoon has regained strength over Kerala, aided by the weather system in the Bay of Bengal.

Udumbannoor in Idukki recorded the highest rainfall of 13 cm in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, followed by Peerumedu in Idukki, Angadipuram in Malappuram, and Athirappilly in Thrissur with 11 cm each.

According to a weather bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday, the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal had intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal. The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal during the next 24 hours, followed by further intensification into a deep depression over the subsequent 24 hours. It is then expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and reach the vicinity of the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts by the morning of September 23.

The weather system, along with an upper-air cyclonic circulation over central Tamil Nadu and its neighbourhood and a trough extending from the southeast Arabian Sea to the cyclonic circulation associated with the well-marked low-pressure area, has strengthened monsoon conditions over the State. The trough now runs across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the southwest Bay of Bengal, passing through the centre of the cyclonic circulation over central Tamil Nadu and its neighbourhood.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for eight districts, from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur, on Monday, warning of isolated heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours.

After a brief lull on Tuesday, rainfall is expected to intensify as the system moves close to the coast, with widespread showers likely across the State on September 24 and 25, the bulletin said.