Uganda's coffee exports are likely to rise by 3 percent to 3.6 million 60 kg bags of the beans in the 2014-15 (Oct-Sep) crop year largely due to good weather and attractive prices. Uganda, Africa's number one exporter of coffee, cultivates the robusta, expects 2013-14 exports to hit a forecast for the season of 3.5 million bags.
As the country enters into withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon, let us have a look at the weather conditions in major cities over the next few days.
Delhi: The capital city has been witnessing dry weather for the last few days and is expected to continue for a couple of days more. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the maximum temperature has been hovering around 35°C for last two days, while minimum temperature has been settling in the mid 20s. Similar weather condition will prevail over the next 48 hours with a marginal drop in humidity levels. As we approach towards the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon, temperatures will increase and sky will remain clear. We can expect pleasant mornings but days will be a little warm. Nights would be clear with light humidity.
Mumbai: Unlike the seasonal weather, Mumbai has been experiencing very little rain over past six days, practically remaining dry in last 48 hours. However, maximums are settling in the low 30s, which are in comfort zone but being a coastal city afternoon hours could be humid. Evenings and nights are relatively pleasant due to moderate sea breeze setting in. We do not expect wet spell in next two to three days, as per the forecast by Skymet. However, there could be light rain showers in some parts of the city for a short duration. Overall, the city will witness mix of sunshine and partly cloudy weather.
Chennai: The southern city has been witnessing some good monsoon showers in September, unlike its seasonal trend. As on September 16, the city has received a total of 108 mm of rainfall, which is quite close to the monthly average of 137 mm. According to Skymet, the maximum temperature in the city is recording in the mid 30s, while minimum temperatures are settling in the mid 20s. However, being a coastal city, people have to face high humidity. The temperature will make you feel sultry if it is not raining. As per Skymet's forecast, we can expect rain in next 48 hours, though not heavy. The city is heading towards Northeast monsoon, wherein it receives more than 60 per cent of its annual rainfall.
Kolkata: The capital of West Bengal is gearing up for the famous Durga Puja festival that falls in the last week of September this year. The festival is celebrated with great gaiety and fervour across the state. The grand festival is always under the threat of rain as both September and October are the rainy months for the region. However, the state has not fared well in terms of Monsoon rain this season and no significant rainfall has been witnessed in the last 48 hours. The city has observed very light rains over the last two days. Maximum temperatures have been recording around 35°C and the minimum temperature has been hovering in the mid twenties. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Kolkata will witness warm humid weather conditions with possibility of showers in certain areas in next 48 hours.
Nagpur: The city has an elevation of 1000 feet and practically marks the centre of India. Nagpur has been witnessing moderate maximum and minimum temperatures and rain showers in last two days. According to Skymet, similar weather condition will prevail in the city over the next 48 hours without any significant change in temperatures. The maximum will be around 30°C. Mild showers are expected in next two days.
Bangalore: September is the rainiest month for the city with a monthly average rainfall of 240 mm. However, Bangalore has not witnessed any significant rain in the month so far, even though the region of south interior Karnataka has been receiving surplus rain. The city is located at the heart of Mysore plateau at a height of 3000 ft. Due to its high elevation, Bangalore experiences slightly chilly weather during morning and night, making the weather enjoyable. As per Skymet, the days are comfortable; however there has been no rainfall activity during the last week. No significant change is expected in the weather conditions for next 48 hours and weather will be pleasant. Meanwhile, there is also forecast of sporadic showers over the city.
After recording 81.2 mm of heavy rain, Dibrugarh in Assam topped the list of rainiest cities in India on Monday. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, rainfall has started to decrease across the country and the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon is expected to begin soon.
Here’s a look at our list of top ten Rainiest cities in India on Monday:
| Cities | State | Rainfall (in millimeters) |
| Dibrugarh | Assam | 81.2 |
| Pondicherry | Pondicherry | 70.5 |
| Bilaspur | Chhattisgarh | 49.2 |
| Vellore | Tamil Nadu | 47.8 |
| Cuddalore | Tamil Nadu | 44.0 |
| Durg | Chhattisgarh | 39.4 |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan | 31.4 |
| Mangalore | Karnataka | 28.8 |
| Gangtok | Sikkim | 24.7 |
| Wardha | Maharashtra | 21.6 |
A UN-backed simulation exercise involving 24 countries, including India, has come out with results of a disaster warning system established after the strongest tsunami in living memory hit the Indian Ocean region in 2004.
The simulation exercise, held on 9-10th September, aimed at assessing the potential capacity of the various countries involved and their response time to potential mass destruction events.
The exercise, known as "IOWave14 -Indian Ocean Wave" comprised two scenarios -- the first simulated an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 south of Java, Indonesia, on September 9 and the second simulated an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 in the Makran Trench south of Iran and Pakistan. The virtual tsunami also generated land threats warnings to Australia which was supposedly one of the largest natural disasters Australia could possibly face.
Fortunately, this was not a real emergency but an elaborate simulation designed to test the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.
A network of seismic monitors, sea level gauges and deep ocean buoys delivered this pertinent information and warnings to Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
The participating countries are Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, East Timor, the French overseas department of La Reunion, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen.
Typhoon Kalmaegi is presently centered at 20⁰N Latitude and 111⁰E Longitude in the open sea. Punched with wind speed exceeding 130 kmph and in gusts 150 kmph, Kalmaegi is equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane and is likely to make landfall in China’s Hainan Island shortly.
After making landfall it will enter the gulf of Tonkin and make landfall in north Vietnam, affecting the weather there. It will then move further and enter Laos travelling up to Mynmar. The remnants of the Typhoon could move up to Northeast India also.
Skymet Meteorolgy Division in India reiterates the fact that history of such storms suggest that after reaching the coastal areas of south China, they weaken but remnants of such systems come very close to northeastern parts of India and play an important role in shaping up of systems in the Bay of Bengal. Despite being miles away, such severe typhoons tend to suppress the formation of any system as they drive away the moisture from the Bay.
The Pacific Ocean has an active stormy season commencing from September and lasting till December. The intensity of these systems vary largely from a tropical depression to super typhoon. The West Pacific was struck by four CAT-5 typhoons last year during the period between September and December 2013. A vast stretch of coastline of Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan and Korea remains under threat of strong tropical storms, frequently achieving typhoon status. These systems have devastating potential and are punched with a deadly combination of gale winds and torrential rains.
Picture courtesy: cimss
After surpassing the monthly normal rainfall in August, September too seems to be heading in the same direction for Chennai. The first week of the month itself received 75 mm of rainfall, while the second week recorded 32 mm of rain. The city also witnessed moderate showers of 21.4 mm on Tuesday.
As on September 16, the city has received a total of 108 mm of rainfall, which is quite close to the monthly average of 137 mm. Chennai witnesses seven rainy days during this month, out of which it has already experienced five days of rain so far.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, heavy showers have been forecast during the next 48 hours over the city. With this, Chennai stands a fair chance to surpass the monthly normal rainfall. The maximum temperature in city has been hovering around 35°C, which is almost normal.
Tamil Nadu is a rain shadow area, as a result less rain is observed in the region during the Southwest Monsoon season. However, it was one of the very few pockets that observed a surplus of 4% in June, while the entire country was experiencing scanty or deficit rain of 43%. Though month of July was deficit for the city, it again bounced back in August with 186.6 mm of rainfall, crossing the monthly average of 140 mm.
Northeast monsoon
September is the last month before the onset of Northeast monsoon, which stretches from October to December. Chennai receives more than 60 per cent of annual rainfall during these months. According to Skymet, the city will witness drop in temperatures, as October approaches and rainfall increases. There will be more number of rainy days in October, whereas the peak period for the season is November.
As colourful fairy lights adorn Sabarmati Riverfront’s banks and Ahmedabad undergoes a mega facelift, the pleasant weather of Gujarat’s capital city is expected to remain conducive for the twin VVIP visit tomorrow. After a sunny morning, the city will be partly cloudy, embracing light breeze throughout the evening as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to indulge in serious walk the talk.
As the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon looms over the country and rain activity also declines in Gujarat, threats of precipitation hampering the meeting proceedings looks unlikely in Ahmedabad as rain activity has reduced in the state during past one week.
After a delay in the onset of Monsoon, Gujarat observed a dry spell till mid-week of July. However, due to a few good spells of rain during the last week of July, the state was able to wipe out its rain deficiency. August was again grim as the rainfall largely remained negligible for the month. The state experienced only 103.6 mm of rain in August which was 55% below the normal rainfall for that month. Though fortunately, first half of September has received good spells of rain showers which kept hot and warm weather at bay.
The weather in Ahmedabad plays a pivotal role as this visit inaugurates President Xi Jinping three day visit to India, undertaken to discuss important bilateral issues between China and India.
After an elaborate dinner in Ahmedabad, President Xi Jinping and his delegation will leave for Delhi where a warm Thursday will boost the trade and investment talks.
India and China are expected to sign as many as 20 agreements and MoUs in Delhi, on issues related to infrastructure development, cultural ties among others.
With scattered rains lashing various parts of the MP, arrival of new moong decreased alarmingly, leading to sharp rise in its prices with moong (new) rising to Rs 6,800-7,000 per quintal. At Indore, moong (old) rose to Rs 6,100-6,300, while moong (medium) ruled at Rs 5,800. Moong dal (medium) was being quoted at Rs 7,400-7,500.
