Monsoon in Kerala
Kerala is blessed with a pleasant and equable climate through out the year, because of it’s nearness to the sea and the presence of the fort like Western Ghats on the east. Kerala’a Climate can be divided into 4 seasons - Winter, Summer, South-West Monsoon and North-East Monsoon.
Southwest monsoon is the main rainy season in Kerala. This begins by the end of May or early June with the outset of the southwest monsoon winds. The next few months(up to September) are periods of torrential rain. Kerala receives copious rainfall of average 3000 mm in a year. The slopes of the Western Ghats are among the places in India which receives the highest amount of rain.
Northeast monsoon hits Kerala in the months of October and November and sometimes lasts till December. Heavy afternoon rains accompanied by thunder and lightening is the main characteristic of the season
Most of the rivers of Kerala are fed by the monsoons. There are 44 major rivers in Kerala of which 41 are west flowing and 3 east flowing. Kerala is bestowed with a number of lakes and backwater lagoons which add to the beauty of the land. Vembanadu lake with a area of 260 sq.km is the largest in the state. Shastamkotta lake is the largest natural fresh water lake.
Monsoon tourism allows tourists to explore the full intrinsic beauty of wet Kerala . The turbulent rivers, the thundering waterfalls and the Sea-like lakes, the cloudy sky and the scent of wet soil, fills the beholders with joy and help revitalize body and mind alike.