Kerala Heatwave: Temperatures Top 36 °C as Monsoon Stalls

Early September is usually the time Kerala leans into the southwest monsoon, letting the rains cool things down after the relentless summer. This year, however, the state has been fighting a different kind of heat. In the first week of the month, the mercury nudged past the 36 °C mark in several places, and the rain clouds have been oddly reluctant.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Punalur in Kollam district logged a maximum of 36.2 °C on Monday. That’s about 4.3 °C higher than what the station typically records for this time of year. It feels almost like a lingering summer day in the middle of the monsoon season.

Kottayam wasn’t far behind. The temperature rose to 35.2 °C, a full 4.4 °C above the normal. It turned out to be the biggest deviation among the stations highlighted in the latest IMD bulletin. Palakkad posted 34.2 °C (3.9 °C above normal) and the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) in Kochi hit 34.1 °C, roughly 3.4 °C hotter than usual.

The capital, Thiruvananthapuram, recorded 33.8 °C—about 2.8 °C over its average—while nearby Vellanikkara saw the same temperature, a 3.7 °C jump. Even the northern districts felt the strain: Kozhikode peaked at 33 °C and Kannur at 32.7 °C, both more than two degrees above their typical readings.

What’s striking is that the rise isn’t limited to the mainland. The tiny Lakshadweep archipelago felt the heat too. Amini, the largest island, recorded a high of 33.4 °C—3.4 °C above normal. Minicoy wasn’t far behind at 33 °C, and Agatti logged 31.6 °C.

All these numbers point to a common thread: a weak monsoon. The usual swath of rain that drenches Kerala this time of year has been sporadic, leaving temperatures to linger higher than expected. Residents have described the feeling as “summer lingering into September,” a sentiment echoed by shopkeepers and farmers alike who are watching both the heat and the delayed rains with concern.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation. While there’s no immediate danger of a heatwave emergency, the combination of higher temperatures and scant rainfall could stress water supplies and affect crop yields if the pattern continues. The IMD says it will continue monitoring the monsoon’s progress and will issue updates as the season unfolds.

For now, Keralites are coping with a surprising warm spell—swapping umbrellas for sun hats, and hoping the clouds finally decide to roll in.