Karnataka`s black pepper output last season was reportedly below 15,000 tonnes against 25,000-30,000 tonnes. However, the coming crop is expected to be better, growers said. In Wayanad district of Kerala, pepper cultivation has been declining as vast stretches of pepper estates have been converted into tourist resorts.
According to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), area sown under soybean during kharif 2014 is reduced 9.6 per cent in MP at 5.65 million hectares, as compared to 6.26 million hectares sowed in kharif 2013. Indian soybean kharif cultivation has recorded a drop of 9 per cent during 2014 at 10.90 million hectares.
The downtrend in global raw sugar prices on higher production in Brazil is posing a fresh set of challenges for Indian sugar exporters. This is at a time when millers, ahead of the crushing season, keenly await the Government’s decision on export subsidy for October and November. Cane crushing for the upcoming season will begin soon.
The weather in Delhi in the last few days has been uncomfortable as maximums have consistently being recording above normal. Since September 18, the day temperature in the capital has not settled below 35°C even for a single day.
The Safdarjung Observatory recorded 37.2°C as the maximum temperature on Wednesday, which is 3°C above normal. On Tuesday, September 30, the maximum had settled at 36.4°C which is again close to 3 degrees above normal.
The other observatory at Palam has also been recording nearly the same temperatures. On Wednesday the maximum temperature settled at 37.3°C, while on Tuesday the day temperature had recorded 37.7°C, indicating how uncomfortable day time has been in the capital over the last few days.
Since September 13, there hasn't been any rain in the city either, suggesting that monsoon had commenced withdrawal during this time. The average humidity during the first week of the month used to be in the mid 80s, which dropped to 70% in the second week and 60% in the third week. It dropped to 50% during the last days of the month, which is a decline of 30%, indicating that monsoon is over in Delhi.
Now a period of cloudless sky and clear days will prevail. Early morning and evening hours will be pleasant with light breeze. Afternoon could be a little hot.
As the fall season marks its beginning in the USA, residents reel under record breaking hottest temperatures, unlike for this period. After a relatively cool summer, heat wave has engulfed the U.S. and Canadian High Plains, taking temperatures close to 100°F for many parts of the country.
Places like Montana, Wyoming, Western North Dakota, and the south-central Canadian Plains saw record breaking levels as the temperatures soared.
Terry and Wasta recorded the hottest temperature of 98°F last week followed by parts of Montana and North Dakota that observed temperature of 97°F for the fall season. Moreover, Montana observed warmer than normal temperature which is unlike for mid-summer season.
Western North Dakota also entered record-heat territory on the 25th September with 97°F.
The hot temperature of 92°F in Rapid City left the residents appalled at the drastic alteration of weather since the city just witnessed its earliest snowfall on record with a 1.6” accumulation on September 11th.
Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan reached 91.6°F which was the hottest temperature measured so far this year in the city.
Swan River observed the temperature of 90°F on September 26th in comparison to average temperature of 60°F for the same date.
However, in the coming days, rain is expected that will eventually wipe out the hot and inclement weather.
With the official end of the Southwest Monsoon, ushers in the much-awaited festive season in India. While people in Kolkata are delving in the festive aura of Durga Puja, Delhiites are preparing to burn effigies of Ravana on Dussehra. Let’s find out if the weather is planning to spoil or add to the festivities in major Indian cities.
Weather in Delhi
Triggered by curiosity regarding Gujarati culture under the rule of our revered Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the national capital has been celebrating Navratri with garba, khaman, dhokla and khakhra.
Monsoon has retreated from the national capital bringing pleasant weather conditions during evening hours. Weather is not likely to play spoilsport till Ramlila to be held on October 3. Any significant rain is not in the offing. Temperatures will not rise and maintain levels in the mid-thirties.
Weather in Kolkata
In Kolkata, rains continue till the first week of October. As predicted earlier by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, short and sharp spells of rain can’t be ruled out as the mishti city offers prayers to Ma Durga.
According to the latest weather update, in the absence of rain, weather will be hot and humid with maximums settling in the mid-thirties and minimums in mid-twenties.
The beginning of autumn is marked by the Navratri festival or Durga Puja in West Bengal. Durga Puja or Durgotsava is the largest and most awaited festival of the year for Bengali Hindus. Durga is honoured with great fervour on her annual visit to her ancestral home, along with her children.
Weather in Mumbai
Though September began on a positive note with moderate rain showers in Mumbai, it lost pace in the last leg. The city witnessed merely 2.2 mm of rain since 22nd of September, out of which six days were completely dry. However, the city received 18 mm of rain in last 24 hours.
In the absence of rains, temperature touched all-time September high of 37°C on 29th. Earlier, September 23, 1972 recorded the highest maximum of 36.4°C.
Even after the official end of monsoon, Mumbai continues to receive some rain. Thus, light showers are likely in the coming days
Weather in Chennai
Chennai has received good showers this monsoon and after surpassing the monthly normal rainfall in August, September also followed suit. The capital city of Tamil Nadu has witnessed 151 mm of rainfall against the monthly normal of 137 mm.
In last 24 hours, Chennai received 3 mm of rain and will continue to receive some rain in the coming days.
With the Southwest Monsoon in retreating phase, southern peninsular region has been witnessing good showers for the past 24 hours. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, similar weather conditions are likely to prevail for next 24 to 48 hours, with scattered light to moderate rainfall expected over the region.
As on October 1, several places in Kerala like Kochi observed 15.8 mm or rain, while Kottayam and Alappuzha recorded 9.7 mm and 9.6 mm of rain, respectively. In Karnataka, Chitradurga received 35 mm, Gadag 31 mm, Bangalore 4 mm and Karwar 6.2 mm. In Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal recorded 31.2 mm of rainfall, Madurai18.8 mm, Pamban 17.4 mm and Tondi 20.4 mm.
Northeast Monsoon
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the prevailing weather conditions are setting the stage for the onset of Northeast Monsoon in the region. The Northeast Monsoon stretches from October to December, though it does not have any specific date of arrival, unlike the Southwest Monsoon. The rainfall will increase incredibly both in terms of frequency and intensity across the region during this season. There will be more number of rainy days in October, whereas the peak period for the season is November.
Northeast Monsoon is of great significance for Tamil Nadu as the state is considered to be a rain shadow area, due to which the normal rainfall is not very high during the Southwest Monsoon season. This season is considered to be the rainy season for the state. Its capital city Chennai receives more than 60% of annual rainfall during these months.
As the monsoon comes in full force during October, the region will witness drop in temperatures. The maximum temperature will hover in the lower 30s, while the minimum temperature will settle in the lower 20s. All these factors will lead to extremely pleasant weather conditions across the region.
The Southwest Monsoon 2014 ended with a rainfall deficit of 12.3% in the country, amounting to meteorological drought. Rainfall deficit of 10% and above is termed as drought. Skymet on April 15, 2014, almost 6 months before the concluding days of Monsoon had forecast 40% chance of below normal rain and 25% chance of drought.
We updated the foreshadow on 4th July wherein chances of drought had increased to 60%. Possibility of below normal rain was 30%, while chances of rain being normal became 10%. We had categorically stated that monsoon 2014 stand a bleak chance of above normal or excess rain. And the season has ended on almost same lines, with deficit being 12.3%.
Categorization of rainfall
Season rain less than 90% of the LPA (Long Period Average) amounts to drought
Below normal rain is 90-95% of the LPA
Normal rain is 96-104% of the LPA
Above normal rain 105-110% of the LPA
Excess is more than 110% of the LPA
Skymet Meteorology Division in India had forecast adverse monsoon conditions for Northwest India and Central India. And the region that include Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and east Madhya Pradesh witnessed deficit rain this monsoon. The deviation being west Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where rain has been normal, but in negative (± 19% is normal).
Skymet had put southern peninsula at least risk but the region has observed below normal rain by 7%. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are the two regions that have received less rain, adding up to the deficit. We had also forecast August and September to be the best months in terms of rainfall for the country and it is exactly how the Southwest monsoon panned out during this period.
Meanwhile, all four divisions are deficit and Northwest India tops the list with rainfall deficit of 21%. East and Northeast India follow with deficit standing at 12%. Central India is deficit by 9%, while South India is 7% deficit. Amongst the 36 sub-divisions, south Interior Karnataka is the only one to observe excess rain.
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the cyclonic circulation which has been developing near Sri Lanka, has now intensified into a low pressure area and is giving good amounts of rain in many parts of Sri Lanka.
Records show, heavy rain in the last 24 hours lashed parts of South Sri Lanka. Many parts of South India also recorded light to moderate rain as Southwest Monsoon retreats and sets the stage for the onset of Northeast Monsoon.
While Kurunegala in Sri Lanka received the heaviest rain of 163 mm during last 24 hours, Anuradhapura followed with 35 mm of rain in the same span. Colombo and Galle received 22 mm and 19 mm of rain respectively while Jaffna recorded just 7 mm of rain.
Due to widespread rain received in the past 24 hours, the temperatures have also come down providing pleasant weather during the days and cool nights. The maximum temperatures are in lower 30s and minimums are below 30 degrees.
Similar weather pattern is expected for the next couple of days as well.
