Kerala likely to face drought due to deficit monsoon

Source: The post is based on the article “Kerala likely to face drought due to deficit monsoon”  published in The Hindu on 16th August 2023. 

What is the News?

Kerala is facing a potential drought-like condition with the monsoon deficit widening.

Why does Kerala might face a potential drought-like condition?

Lack of Monsoon Rainfall: The southwest monsoon has been much weaker than expected, with only 56% of the normal rainfall received between June and August. This has raised concerns about water scarcity, especially considering low reservoir levels.

– Kerala has witnessed deficient monsoon only 14 times since 1901, with the last one in 2016.

Low Reservoir Levels: Reservoirs managed by the Kerala State Electricity Board are at only 37% of their total capacity, far lower than the previous year. 

Impact of El Nino: El Niño, a climate phenomenon, is contributing to the poor monsoon.Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific are exceeding El Niño thresholds which is likely to continue until early 2024. 

– Additionally, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral, further impacting monsoon conditions in Kerala.

– Among the 15 El Niño years India witnessed since 1951, only five El Niño years (1965, 1972, 1987, 2002, and 2015) affected the State.