Kottayam recorded a temperature 4.4°C above normal for two consecutive days on Sunday and Monday. Image for representation.
| Photo Credit: File photo K.K. Mustafah
With the absence of rain and dry weather conditions prevailing across the State, parts of Keralam have started experiencing summer-like conditions, with temperature soaring above normal levels. Kottayam recorded a temperature 4.4°C above normal for two consecutive days on Sunday and Monday.Adding to the woes, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heat alert warning of hot and humid conditions at isolated places in Keralam until Wednesday (September 9). According to a weather alert issued by the IMD, the maximum temperature is likely to be 3-4°C above normal at isolated places in Keralam during this period.As per the temperature recorded at various stations in Keralam on Monday, Kottayam and Punalur in Kollam remained the hottest places, with Kottayam recording 35.2°C and Punalur recording 36.2°C, which is 4.4°C and 4.3°C above normal temperature respectively. Speaking to The Hindu, Neetha K. Gopal, Director, IMD, Thiruvananthapuram, said the cloud-free sky, along with the absence of rain, has led to a sudden spike in daytime temperature.However, a relief is likely during this weekend as a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal to bring isolated heavy showers across the State for a few days from Thursday, said Ms. Gopal. Although light showers are expected by the end of the week, the temperature is likely to soar further if the Bay of Bengal remains calm after the low-pressure system. In the meantime, the conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from north-west India.Already, the southwest monsoon rainfall is around 25% deficient in the State as of September 7, and the monthly forecast issued by the IMD also warns of below-normal rainfall across the State during September. This is expected to exacerbate the summer-like conditions in the State, with less cloud cover coupled with the absence of rain and increased humidity in the atmosphere of Keralam. Published - September 07, 2026 09:10 pm IST
