The Hindu Business Line : 34 pc above normal rainfall in one week

LEAVING behind a June rainfall deficit of 15 per cent, southwest monsoon seemed to have turned the corner to generate a surplus of 34 per cent for the week ended July 6.

Of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions, 14 experienced excess rainfall (+20 per cent or more) and 11 normal (+19 per cent to - 19 per cent). It was deficient (-20 per cent to - 59 per cent) in six and scanty (-60 per cent to - 99 per cent) in five.

The actual all-Indian area-weighted rainfall for the week was 82.9 mm against the normal of 62 mm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an update.

Under the influence of the upper air cyclonic circulation over northwest Bay of Bengal and off the Gangetic West Bengal-Orissa coast, a fresh spell of rainfall is likely over the southern peninsula from the weekend.

Among the met sub-divisions that are seen benefiting are Telengana, Rayalaseema and Marathwada, all of which have received deficient or scanty rain up till now.

In its weather update on Friday, the IMD said the low-pressure area over northeast Rajasthan and adjoining Haryana has become less marked. However, the associated upper air cyclonic circulation lay over northwest Rajasthan and neighbourhood. The increased rainfall activity over northwest India decreased considerably as on Friday.

The axis of the monsoon trough at sea level passed through Ganganagar, Alwar, Gwalior, Rewa, Ambikapur, Chandbali and further southeastwards to east-central Bay of Bengal.

Forecast for the next 24 hours said rain/thundershowers are likely at many places over Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

In the east, rain/thundershowers are likely at many places over Orissa and at a few places in the rest of the region outside Bihar and Jharkhand where it may be isolated.

In the south, rain/thundershowers are likely at many places over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and at a few places in the rest of the region outside south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry where it may be isolated. Rainfall activity will increase over Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh from Saturday onwards.

In the west, rain/thundershowers likely at a few places over the region outside Gujarat and Rajasthan, where it may be isolated.

Outlook for two subsequent two days based on numerical weather products from the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and other agencies indicated that rainfall activity over north peninsular India, including over Maharashtra, is likely to increase slightly.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page