Storm brewing in Pacific casts shadow on monsoon here

As predicted, a tropical depression has sprung up over north-west Pacific with forecasts favouring its intensification into a powerful typhoon (cyclone) early next week.

Being the most prominent feature in the larger Asian monsoon system, the brewing typhoon would expectedly have a drag effect on the Indian monsoon as well.

Global models assess that the depression would go on to become a Category-3 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale for storm intensity by Monday (July 7).

This is the maximum strength that the typhoon would be able to rustle up; it is forecast to wind down in strength over the two days that follow.

The monsoon rain in India, which is making a delayed entry into North-West India, is shown as taking a hit from the typhoon.

The rains may start to dry up as early as from Sunday, starting from Rajasthan and Gujarat and progressively from west Madhya Pradesh.

But the West Coast, Central and adjoining peninsular India, East India and the Bay of Bengal will continue to receive rain since the flows headed for north-west Pacific pass over these areas.

Just as the West Coast would witness heavy to very heavy rains thanks to the presence of the Western Ghats, the hills and rugged terrain of Myanmar would also witness spells of heavy rain.

There are also indications that the north-west Pacific basin may continue to stay hyper-active and host another powerful weather system not too later.

Back home, the monsoon has advanced into more parts of Uttar Pradesh, entire Delhi, Haryana and some parts of north Rajasthan.

The northern limit passed through Veraval, Surat, Nasik, Wasim, Damoh, Lucknow, Aligarh and Bikaner on Thursday.

India Met Department said that conditions are favourable for its further advance into the rest of Uttar Pradesh; some more parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh during next three days.

The 24 hours ending Thursday morning saw rain lash most places over Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the North-Eastern States. Konkan and Goa on the West Coast too witnessed rain at most places.

Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and coastal Karnataka received rain at many places while it was confined to a few places over north Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand and south Gujarat.

Mumbai Santacruz received the highest rainfall of 21 cm, closely followed by Mumbai Colaba with 15 cm. Alibag and Gaya (7 cm each) and Delhi (4 cm) were among other significant recorded rainfall amounts.

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