Kerala has officially entered the Thulavarsham (northeast monsoon) season, marking the start of a new spell of rains across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the arrival of the northeast monsoon soon after the complete withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the Indian subcontinent. With its onset, several districts are bracing for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The IMD has sounded an orange alert for Kottayam and Idukki districts today, warning of intense downpours. Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall.
Tomorrow (Friday), Ernakulam will be under orange alert, while Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Thrissur will continue under yellow alert as widespread rain is expected.
The IMD officially declared that the southwest monsoon (Kalavarsham) has completely withdrawn from India, paving the way for the northeast monsoon. The Thulavarsham showers have already begun across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south Karnataka, and Kerala–Mahe regions.
With the northeast monsoon gaining strength, the weather department has warned of afternoon thunderstorms, often accompanied by lightning and gusty winds. Residents are urged to remain cautious and avoid outdoor activities during lightning periods. Authorities have advised people in vulnerable areas to stay alert and follow official weather updates.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said Kerala is likely to receive 15% above-normal rainfall in October. He added that during the recently concluded southwest monsoon season, India recorded 937.2 mm of rainfall, which is 8% higher than the long-term average of 868.6 mm.
As Kerala welcomes Thulavarsham, the state can expect frequent spells of rain, thunder, and wind in the days ahead — signaling the true rhythm of the northeast monsoon season.
