The Indian peninsula, which is being pounded by rainfall over the past few days, could get a reprieve with the weakening of the weather system developed over the region.

Weather scientists said the rains were caused due to easterly winds blowing in the equatorial belt and their influence is eroding gradually. “There will be lesser rains from tomorrow as the system has been weakening,” a weather scientist said. The unusual summer rains have left a trail of misery across many parts of the peninsular region affecting crops spread over 28,000 hectares and rendering several people homeless.

While it was usual for the Kerala to get an average of two cm rainfall in March, this year it has already touched 17 cm, the highest recorded in 25 years. Official sources said that the Meteorological Department had forecast the heavy rains well in advance and conveyed the same to the state governments of the southern states.

Under normal circumstances, the low-pressure area that brings summer rains moves fast and get dissipated. But this time the pressure is slow-moving and thereby prolonging its impact, weather scientists said. “The low pressure area over east-central Arabian Sea and southeast Arabian Sea off Karnataka coasts and the associated cyclonic circulation has become less marked,” the Met Department said.