Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Kerala Heat Surges Above 36°C as Monsoon Weakens
Kerala is unusually hot for the beginning of September.
This is happening while the southwest monsoon is weaker than usual.
Punalur recorded the highest temperature, at 36.2°C.
That was 4.3°C warmer than normal for the area.
Kottayam was also much hotter than usual, reaching 35.2°C.
Several other places across the state recorded temperatures above their normal levels.
The weak rain activity has made the weather feel more like summer.
Some islands in Lakshadweep also recorded temperatures above normal.
Punalur recorded Kerala’s highest temperature at 36.2°C, or 4.3°C above normal.
Kottayam reached 35.2°C, the highest recorded departure from normal at 4.4°C.
Palakkad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Vellanikkara also recorded above-normal temperatures.
Kozhikode and Kannur exceeded 32°C, with both more than two degrees above normal.
The heat coincided with weak southwest monsoon activity during the first week of September.
- Who
- Residents across Kerala and Lakshadweep are experiencing the above-normal heat.
- What
- Temperatures crossed 36°C in Punalur while southwest monsoon activity remained weak.
- When
- During the first week of September, with the readings released on Monday evening.
- Where
- Across Kerala, including Punalur, Kottayam, Palakkad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur, as well as Lakshadweep.
- Why
- Weak monsoon activity has coincided with above-normal temperatures.
- Highest temperature
- Punalur recorded 36.2°C.
- Punalur departure
- 4.3°C above normal.
- Highest departure
- Kottayam was 4.4°C above normal at 35.2°C.
- Other high readings
- Palakkad recorded 34.2°C and CIAL Kochi recorded 34.1°C.
- Capital reading
- Thiruvananthapuram recorded 33.8°C, 2.8°C above normal.
- Lakshadweep high
- Amini recorded 33.4°C, 3.4°C above normal.