# Ajayan | Kerala’s weather is shifting dramatically. Thunderstorms, sudden flashes of lightning and fierce winds have now become a new normal during both the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
A study Identifying the hotspot regions of emerging triple risk due to pre-monsoon convective storms over Kerala by a team of scientists from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has been published in the international journal Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk. It assumes importance amid a fundamental shift in weather patterns driven by climate change.
As temperatures rise, clouds grow taller and surge upward with greater force, reshaping the monsoon landscape. Even the character of rainfall has changed dramatically - showers that once lasted an entire day now fall within an hour, and rain meant for a whole season arrives in just a few days.
The study highlights the growing threat of pre-monsoon storms in Kerala, especially how towering clouds can unleash powerful winds without warning. It explains that convective storms, commonly known as thunderstorms, strike the State frequently during the pre and post-monsoon seasons, bringing sudden lightning, fierce winds and heavy rain that can cause serious damage in minutes. The study also warns that many regions in Kerala are becoming increasingly vulnerable to these storms.
The findings show that Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta face the highest risk from lightning. Coastal regions receive the most intense rainfall, while the Western Ghats record the greatest number of storms. Northern Kerala endures the heaviest downpours, but the southern part of the State experiences storms more often, forming the core storm zone, making it especially vulnerable to landslides and flash floods. The researchers have identified key hotspot regions across the State by analysing where storms occur most frequently and how severe they tend to be.
The researchers say the study will help create a clearer picture of how different parts of Kerala face different storm-related threats. These insights can guide communities and authorities to strengthen preparedness, reduce risks, and build resilience against increasingly extreme weather.
For the first time, this study brings to light the combined dangers of pre-monsoon storms in Kerala, especially how towering, deep clouds can unleash sudden bursts of fierce wind. Using satellite imagery, IMD rain gauge records and data from automatic weather stations, the researchers mapped the regions of Kerala exposed to different storm-related hazards. “The study shows how each area experiences its own storm patterns and levels of risk, helping us understand where the impacts of these convective storms may be most severe,” they noted.
The study was led by CUSAT Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research Director Abhilash S and supported by Krishnakumar EK, Abhiram Nirmal CS and Prabhath H Kurup.
