Cumulonimbus gathering in Kerala: experts warn strong thunders

Kochi: Experts predict strong thunder and lightning for Tuesday afternoon at various places in Kerala, due to the presence of cumulonimbus clouds that usually trigger intense rainfall during the summer months in the state.

A relative rise in the count of these clouds this year prompted experts to issue a warning. Thunders would gather strength in coming days, which could be lethal enough to take lives, they add.

A cumulonimbus cloud could span up to 20 kilometres. It could be at the height of 1 to 2 kilometres from the earth's crust and would reach 16 to 17 kilometres of altitude. These clouds used to be seen mainly before the monsoon and during North-East Monsoon in the state. This time the East-West winds, which were strong, boosted the collision of these clouds.

According to experts, cumulonimbus clouds are due to the relative rise in summer showers this year compared to previous summers. They refer to these rains as 'convention' in which clouds suddenly gather in the afternoon and pours down.

Experts predict that the state will receive showers more than usual in May. The average rainfall for Kerala from March to the end of May is 361.5 mm. But, as of April 25th, it received 167mm, already instead of 116.7mm – which is 43 per cent higher.

Altogether, the state already received unusual amounts of summer rains. In the coming days, continuous rain is expected in the state, according to Rajeevan Erikkulam, an expert in this field.