Skymet weather

Delhi's air dirtiest, says WHO pollution study report

The World Health Organisation has produced a report on air pollution across the globe on Wednesday. Here are some facts that resonates the demand to take steps to stop air pollution:

1. The report says that the air in Delhi is dirtiest in the world. It says that the national capital had the highest concentration of PM2.5 -- particulate matters less than 2.5 microns-- form of air pollution, which is considered most serious.

2. The report shows that thirteen of the dirtiest 20 cities are from India with New Delhi, Patna, Gwalior and Raipur in the top four spots.

3. Within the country Gwalior tops Indian cities in air pollution in terms of PM10, recording 329 microgrammes per cubic metre while Raipur comes second at 3.5. Delhi ranks third with 286 microgrammes per cubic metre of PM10.

4. The study of 1,600 cities found air pollution had worsened since a smaller survey in 2011, especially in poorer countries, putting city-dwellers at higher risk of cancer, stroke and heart diseases.

5. The average air pollution in terms of microgrammes of small particulates, known as PM10 per cubic metre, in 59 cities between 2011 and 2013 was 134, nearly seven times more than the WHO-prescribed safe limit of 20.

Heavy pre-monsoon rain likely in NE; temperatures soar in northwest plains

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the northeastern parts of the country i.e. Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura will witness increase in rain during the next two days.

The low pressure area in South India while moving in a northeastward direction will weaken further and will be left as a trough of low near Odisha and adjoining areas. The trough will keep the wind conditions southerly to southwesterly in the northeastern states after the next 24 hours and increase rain in the region. The weather forecast by Skymet Meteorology Division in India indicates that heavy rain could take place at some of the places in Northeast.

Earlier on Thursday, Skymet Meteorology Division in India in its weather alert had said that moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura during the next 3 days. Some of the places may receive heavy rain and thundershowers . Strong winds ranging between 70 kmph and 100 kmph are also expected during the period.

Northeast India has been receiving good amounts of rain for the past two days due to a cyclonic circulation over Assam and a north-south trough of low extending from sub-Himalayan West Bengal to the Bay of Bengal.

The following table shows the amount of pre-monsoon rain received in the last 24 hours at different places in Northeast.

Places Amount of rain Forecast for next 48 hours
Lengpui 136.4 mm Increase in rain
Tinsukia 72.5 mm Increase in rain
Dibrugarh 65.7 mm Increase in rain
Tezpur 61.2 mm Increase in rain
Passighat 56.2 mm Increase in rain
North Lakhimpur 53.4 mm Increase in rain
Guwahati 29.8 mm Increase in rain

Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha will be affected by the weakening of the low pressure area in the next 24 hours. ''Moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at many places in coastal Andhra Pradesh, South Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the next 48 hours. Some places may receive heavy rain and thundershowers. Winds blowing at a speed of 60 to 90 kmph will also be witnessed during the period.” said a weather alert issued at 13:10 Hrs. on Friday by Skymet Meteorology Division in India.

There would be no relief from rising day temperatures in North India as westerly hot and dry winds will sweep across the region under open sky. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, maximums will maintain their increasing trend till a fresh Western Disturbance, which is expected to affect the northwest plain from 12th May arrives in the Western Himalayan region.

 

Heavy Rain in South India claims two lives, damages crops and property

The well-marked low pressure area continues to drench South India. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the band of rain has shifted from Tamil Nadu to Kerala, extending up to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

This spell of heavy rain in South India has claimed at least two lives in Kerala, besides causing extensive damage to crops and property. This has taken the total death toll to around 20 since pre-monsoon rain started in the state. This inclement weather and incessant rain triggered by the low pressure area have dampened the festivities of the Thrissur Pooram festival to be held here on Friday.

On Thursday, fairly widespread rain was observed in Kerala but as the low pressure area is travelling inland rain reduced in Kochi from 191.6 mm on Wednesday to 44 mm, in Kozhikode from 87.7 mm to 66 mm. Similarly in Alapuzha and Kottayam the intensity of rain has reduced considerably and these cities recorded 28.9 mm and 9.2 mm of rain in last 24 hours. However, the intensity has increased in Thiruvananthapuram from 6 mm of rain on Wednesday to 44.3 mm the next day. Kannur and Punalur recorded a whopping 136.6 mm and 52 mm of rain, respectively.

In Karnataka, Chitradurga received 47.6 mm of rain, Madikeri 96.4, Mangalore 86.8, Bellary 38 mm, Belgaum 31.8 mm, Karwar 55.2, Honnavar 28.5 mm, Bangalore 6.5 mm and Gulbarga 28.8 mm of rain.

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, more downpour during the next 24 hours is likely in Kerala and Karnataka. But rain in Tamil Nadu has started reducing and in the last 24 hours, rainfall came down below 10 mm in Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Palayamkottai, Coimbatore and Trichi. In Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad received 13.4 mm of rain, Anantapur 11.9 mm and Kurnool 11.8 mm.

Temperatures in places lashed by rain have reduced by 5 to 7°C, with maximums in Chitradurga and Madikeri being 7°C below normal average. Day temperatures are 6°C below normal in Mangalore, Gadag and Honnavar as well. Bangaloreans are also enjoying cool and rainy day with maximums around 26°C, 7°C below normal. In Kerala as well, temperatures in Alapuzha, Kottayam, Kannur and Kozhikode are 5 to 7°C below normal.

According to G.P Sharma of Skymet Meteorology Division in India, South India generally observes pre-monsoon rain and thunderstorm activities in this month but such torrential rain from a weather system is unusual and unseasonal.

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the intensity of rain will reduce in next 24 hours in South India and temperatures are expected to rise once again.

picture courtesy- livemint

European Union bans Indian Mangoes, prices fall

Too much of a good thing is never too good! A European Union (EU) ban on Indian mangoes is proving to be a sweet deal for consumers but a bitter one for the farmers. Markets are flooded with Alphonso mangoes, which are now available in excess in the market. It has led to a drastic drop in the prices (by about 40%) of these mangoes. Loss of export market has come as another shock, when farmers across Maharashtra are already grappling with crop failure because of unseasonal rain and hailstorms in the month of March.

However, experts claim that the ban in the European Union may only have a limited impact on India’s export market and could be momentary as the export of Indian mangoes and vegetables to EU in terms of value is only around 10% and runs into only a few hundred crores.

On the other hand, the ban on Indian mangoes may quite badly affect their image in other countries, like the U.S., which saw a record export from India, of about 500 tons last year.

India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, grows about 15 million tons of the fruit, roughly 40% of the global production. According to the Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, of the 55,600 metric tons of mangoes exported by India in 2012-2013, worth $44 million, only about 3,890 metric tons went to countries of the European Union. The ban over two mango seasons would mean losses of up to $10 million for Maharashtra farmers.

On the brigher side, Indians are dining on some of the world's most succulent mangoes after the European Union banned imports of the fruit from India this month.

The European Union on 26th March imposed a ban on Indian mangoes and other vegetables (egg plants and gourds) from 1st May, due to issues over pesticides found in them last year.

Did you know that every year the International Mango Festival is held in Delhi, where different varieties of mango are on display.

Photo by gettyimages

Pre-monsoon rain in South India to reduce as low pressure area likely to weaken

After observing fair amount of pre-monsoon rain for the last three days, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will witness decrease in rain in the next 24 hours. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the well-marked low pressure has weakened after entering the land and now lies as a low pressure area over interior Karnataka.

The following table shows the amount of rain received in different places in Kerala in the last 24 hours

Places Amount of rain Forecast for next 24 hours
Kannur 136.6 mm Rain to reduce
Kozhikode 65.7 mm Rain to reduce
Punalur 52 mm Rain to reduce
Thiruvanathapuram 44.3 mm Rain to reduce
Kochi 44 mm Rain to reduce
Alapuzha 28.9 mm Rain to reduce
Kottayam 9.2 Rain to reduce

Some of the places in Karnataka also received heavy rain in the last 24 hours. The table shows the amount of rain received during the period at various weather stations in Karnataka

Places Amount of rain Forecast for next 24 hours
Madikeri 96.4 mm Rain to reduce
Mangalore 86.8 mm Rain to reduce
Agumbe 76.2 mm Rain to reduce
Karwar 55.2 mm Rain to reduce
Chikmangalur 47.6 mm Rain to reduce

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the rain belt will shift northwards to cover Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh as the weakened low pressure area will move northeastwards in the next 24 hours.  Places in Andhra Pradesh that could receive good amounts of rain in the next 24 hours are Nizamabad, Hyderabad, Ramagundam and Vijayawada.

Some parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh will also come under the purview of the weather system. Some places in these states are already experiencing the effect of wind discontinuity, which is expected to connect with the weather system and bring more rain to the region.

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Jeera| Indian jeera or cumin seed futures rose due to a fall in arrivals in spot markets.

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