Delayed monsoon to hit Punjab on July 10: MeT

Nitin Jain
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 7

The southwest monsoon, which has been delayed by almost a month, was likely to advance over remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan during July 10 to 12, the Indian Meteorological Department has said.

Except Ludhiana and Kapurthala, which recorded normal rainfall so far, the delay in monsoon has led to deficient rainfall up to 99 per cent in rest 20 districts in the state, the IMD has confirmed.

In a status report on monsoon and rainfall forecast for Punjab submitted to Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, the Director General of Meteorology Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the southwest monsoon has covered some parts of north Punjab (Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar and Mohali) and Haryana on June 13 and thereafter no further advance has taken place over both these states till July 7.

“Due to the impact of stronger middle latitude dry continental westerly winds, monsoon has been weak causing the subdued rainfall, especially during June 25 to July 6. First half of June experienced above normal rainfall, which reduced thereafter. However, scattered rainfall occurred on a few occasions during this period,” he disclosed.

Submitting the weather forecast for the next 10 days, the DG, IMD, said according to latest numerical weather prediction model guidance, the moist easterly winds in lower level from the Bay of Bengal are likely to spread into northwest India covering Punjab and north Haryana by July 10.

“Accordingly, the southwest monsoon is likely to advance over remaining parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during July 10 to 12,” he revealed.

Dr Mohapatra stated that the subdued rainfall activity is very likely to continue to prevail over Punjab till July 9. However, isolated thunderstorm activity can also be expected over Punjab till July 9.

“The monsoon activity would revive commencing from July 9 night with rainfall at many places in the state. It is likely to increase further during July 11 to 12 with moderate rainfall at many places over the state and isolated heavy rainfall. During the period from July 11 to 16, all the districts of Punjab are expected to receive cumulative rainfall of about 50 to 70 mm,” the IMD DG added.

The report was submitted after the Chief Secretary had held a conversation with the Secretary to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) regarding the current status of monsoon and its forecast for Punjab.

Tthe continuing dry spell has led to a major power crisis in the agrarian state with the demand touching a record peak and the consumers reeling under frequent outages.