Tue Dec 31 18:39:47 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Braces for Harsh Summer After 2024’s Extreme Weather Events
**Thiruvananthapuram, January 1, 2025** – Kerala experienced a year of climate extremes in 2024, marked by deficient monsoons, intense rainfall events, and a record-breaking heatwave, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While both the southwest and northeast monsoons fell short of normal levels, the state witnessed four extreme rainfall events, exceeding 204 mm in 24 hours, compared to three in 2023 and zero in 2021. A cloudburst also occurred in Kochi.
The most devastating event was the July 30th Wayanad landslides, triggered by 572 mm of rainfall in just 48 hours. This resulted in over 200 deaths. Despite lower overall rainfall, the number of extreme rainfall events remained high.
Kerala also recorded its first-ever six heatwave days in April, exceeding temperature thresholds in several districts. Two heatstroke deaths were officially confirmed.
Looking ahead, the IMD predicts a harsh summer for 2025, aligning with the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) forecast of the third warmest year globally, following record-breaking temperatures in 2023 and 2024. While a La Niña phase may offer some cooling, its impact is expected to be limited. More details are anticipated in the upcoming IMD summer outlook. The WMO has already declared 2024 the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
First Piper 