Monsoon likely to pick up pace in Northwest by July 10: IMD

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 1

A slight respite from “markedly above normal” temperatures prevailing in the plains of the Northwest is expected around July 2/3 with moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea “reducing intensity and area coverage” of the prevailing heatwave.

Crucial for crops

Some respite from heat expected around July 2/3 due to southwesterly winds from the Arabian sea
Temperatures “markedly above normal” in region
July rains expected to be normal; in NW, rains to be “below normal to normal”
Seasonal rains are crucial for crops like rice, cotton and soybean

However, according to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, “due to increase in humidity association with these winds the human discomfort level will continue”.

Temperatures in Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and northern parts of Rajasthan are recording six to seven degrees above normal.

Currently passing through a “break phase”, the monsoon is expected to revive in the second week around July 10. Though the complete revival can only be expected around July 15.

“Normally, the seasonal rains cover the entire country by July 8, which is not expected to happen this year,” Mohapatra said. The seasonal rains have covered most parts of the country this year, except Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Rajasthan.

Enumerating the reasons behind the suffocating heat in the NW and “break period”, the IMD DG said heat energy from neighbouring Pakistan is being transferred via mid-level westerly winds. Further, the absence of low-pressure areas in Bay of Bengal and unfavourable Madden Julian Oscillation are the other reasons why the monsoon has not progressed since June 19.

Though from tomorrow, relatively cooler and moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea are expected to cool down the temperatures in some parts.

“Progress of monsoon has been quite good in most parts of the country, covering them by June 19, except Northwest which has been the most affected,” Mohapatra said, sounding a cautionary note regarding agriculture operation-sowing, transplantation, irrigation and power supply in the region.

Paddy transplantation in Punjab and Haryana happens mostly in July, when much rains are not expected in the first half.