Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam is feeling the heat unusually early in September, with the mercury crossing 36 degrees Celsius at Punalur even as the southwest monsoon remains weak in the state.

According to the latest IMD data, Punalur in Kollam district recorded a maximum temperature of 36.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, a striking 4.3 degrees above normal for the station.

The reading comes in the first week of September, a period when Keralam would ordinarily still be under the influence of the southwest monsoon.

Kottayam was not far behind, recording 35.2 degrees Celsius, 4.4 degrees above normal - - the highest departure among the stations listed.

Palakkad recorded 34.2 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above normal, while CIAL Kochi registered 34.1 degrees Celsius, 3.4 degrees above normal.

Thiruvananthapuram city recorded 33.8 degrees Celsius, which was 2.8 degrees above normal, while Vellanikkara also touched 33.8 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees above normal, said the data released on Monday evening.

The heat was felt across much of the state, with Kozhikode recording 33 degrees Celsius and Kannur 32.7 degrees Celsius. Both were more than two degrees above their respective normal temperatures.

The combination of weak monsoon activity and above-normal temperatures has made the early days of September feel more like a continuation of the summer heat in several parts of the state.

Among the Lakshadweep stations, Amini recorded the highest maximum of 33.4 degrees Celsius, 3.4 degrees above normal. Minicoy recorded 33 degrees Celsius, while Agathi recorded 31.6 degrees Celsius.