Weakening of northeast monsoon comes as a relief to Indians, who are all decked up and geared up to celebrate the festival of lights and fireworks –Diwali- on 23rd October, as rain is not going to play a spoilsport on the occasion.
As cloudiness associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon dissipated, Northeast monsoon has gradually weakened in last 24 hours. According to Skymet meteorology division in India, the low pressure in south-east Arabian Sea is magnetizing all the moisture from Bay of Bengal. As the low pressure intensifies, rain will further reduce in the Southern Peninsula as the rainfall starts to concentrate in Lakshadweep and adjoining areas.
The widespread and heavy rain that lashed Tamil Nadu since Friday has already shown signs of a decline as many parts of Tamil Nadu received rain less than 10 mm in last 24 hours, barring few places. The situation is similar for Kerala as most of the places received rainfall that remained less than normal.
Temperatures in some parts of North India are recording marginally below normal since the last few days. However, they will now rise and settle close to the normal levels. In South India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are observing temperatures below normal by about 5 degrees, due to heavy Northeast Monsoon rain in the region.
Meanwhile, we take a look at the weather in major cities during Diwali.
Delhi Weather
After recording below normal temperatures for the last couple of days, the city saw maximum settle at 32°C on Monday, which is the average temperature for the month. Minimum too settle at a normal of 18°C on Tuesday morning. On Diwali the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain close to 33°C and 18°C, respectively. Wind is likely to be cool and dry northwesterly.
Mumbai Weather
Mumbai has been observing warm conditions with maximum settling at 36.6°C on Monday, which is 3 degrees above normal. Minimum settled 2 degrees above normal to record 25.4°C on Tuesday morning. During Diwali they are going to stay in the same range but sky will be partly cloudy with chances of spot thundershowers.
Kolkata Weather
Minimums in Kolkata are recording below normal. The city recorded 21°C as the minimum temperature on Tuesday morning, which is 3 degrees below normal. Maximum was marginally above normal at 31°C on Monday. On Diwali, both maximums and minimums are likely to settle marginally below normal at 31°C and 22°C, respectively. Warm and moist northeasterly winds would prevail during the day.
Chennai Weather
It’s pretty cold in Chennai as Northeast Monsoon has been giving some very good rain in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the last 3 days. Temperatures have plummeted a good deal in the city. Chennai recorded 26°C as the maximum on Monday, which is 6 degrees below normal. The minimum too settled a degree below normal at 24°C on Tuesday. However, temperatures are going to rise and record 29°C and 25°C as the maximum and minimum respectively on Diwali. Moist and warm easterlies during the day would make the weather a little uncomfortable.
Bangalore weather
The weather in Bangalore is cool and pleasant. The maximum temperature on Monday settled 3 degrees below normal at 25.4°C, while the minimum recorded 20.3°C, marginally below normal. The temperatures are expected to remain in the same range during Diwali. Skies will be partly cloudy with chances of thunderstorm.
Hyderabad Weather
Hyderabad is warm with maximum recording 32.4°C, marginally above normal. While minimum settled 3 degrees above normal at 23.4°C. The temperatures in the city are expected to maintain the same trend till Diwali. There is forecast of partly cloudy skies and thundery development.
Lucknow Weather
The city of nawabs has been witnessing below normal temperatures. The day temperature settled at 31°C on Monday, which is 2 degrees below normal. The minimum also settled 2 degrees below normal at 16°C. S in the city are expected to maintain till Diwali. Skies will be clear.
Normal life has come to a standstill in parts of Tamil Nadu as heavy rain since Friday has led to stagnation of water.
Traffic snarls are increasing as flyovers and roads are waterlogged due to heavy rain and thundershowers observed after the arrival of Northeast Monsoon on 18th October.
The rain in last 24 hours in Tamil Nadu has been: Coonoor 91.6 mm, Karaikal 114 mm, Kodaikanal 69.8 mm, Nagapattinam 81.8 mm, Pamban 27.8 mm.
While widespread and heavy rain lashed Tamil Nadu, it confined to light showers in parts of Kerala.
The rain in last 24 hours in Kerala has been: Alapuza 3.8 mm, Kannur 8.4 mm, Kottayam 5.8 mm, Punalur 6.6 mm, Pamban 27.8 mm.
Even though the rain has left people and traffic crawling in the peak hours, according to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, rain is expected to reduce in next 48 hours.
Arrivals of new moong is started in major markets of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This year delayed rains impacted adversely on the moong area across the states in India. Harvesting of moong is in peak in the key producing states of the country. Indore (MP) is the benchmark spot market of moong.
Chickpea or chana will continue to remain the largest produced pulse crop in India holding a share of around 50 percent in total Indian Pulses production. India had reaped bumper chickpea output in 2012-13 season. The government of India has projected record output of at 9.88 million tonnes in the Rabi season in their fourth advance estimates.
New maize arrivals started in some markets in North India. Delayed arrival of monsoon impacted maize sowing in major states such as Andhra, Karanataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Maize prices are declined at Sangli (Maharashtra) market. At Sangli spot market, maize prices were Rs 1100-1225/quintal.
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are major soybean producing states in India. This year kharif soybean sowing in these state was delayed by almost 1 to 2 month due to late rains. Now soybean crop is in maturity stage in key producing areas. The harvesting of soybean started in Vidarbh region of Maharashtra, said the agriculture expert.
