Skymet weather

Unusual weather in Gujarat brings heaviest rain to Ahmedabad in 32 years

The weather gods in Gujarat have been acting funny this election season! In a sudden change of weather on Sunday, many parts of the state were hit by rain. This spell of rain in Ahmedabad was the heaviest in last 32 years in the month of April. The rain was accompanied by thunderstorm and squally winds of over 50 kmph, which uprooted trees and claimed the lives of eight people.

While rain and strong winds provided much needed relief from the terribly hot weather in Gujarat, it also blew up roofs of houses of slum dwellers, and brought down mobile towers and roadside election hoardings. Monday morning started with traffic jams as the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) stayed busy removing fallen trees from the roads.

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India rain figures in Gujarat looked like this. Ahmedabad – 11.4 mm of rain, this was the highest rainfall recorded in a single day in the city recorded in 32 years. The last time Ahmedabad recorded rainfall higher than this, was 21.9 mm on April 20th in 1982.

Other cities which received rain were: Gandhinagar – 45 mm, where Lal Krishna Advani’s was cancelled due to flooding and Rajkot – 5.6 mm. Baroda and Vallabh Vidyanagar  recorded traces of rainfall.

The thunderstorm-hit districts included Ahmedabad, Amreli, Gandhinagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Kutch and Patan. But besides thunderstorm and unseasonal rains, hail also struck at several places, such as Chotila in Surendrangar, Dehgam in Gandhinagar and some parts of Kutch and Rajkot.

While on one hand hailstorm affected the famous kesar-aam crop of Gujarat, two persons, aged 24 and 14 lost their life in Rakhiyal district in Ahmedabad, as a tree fell on them. Media reports confirm eight deaths so far in Gujarat, out of which five were in Ahmedabad alone. More such incidents of death and injuries are pouring in from many other cities of Gujarat.

“Thundershowers in pre-monsoon season are normal but weather events such as this are not very common. Enough moisture from the Arabian Sea, high temperatures, apt for heating up the atmosphere and formation of cyclonic circulations are responsibly for such incidents”, says G.P Sharma of Skymet Meteorology Division.

“The normal rainfall amount for Ahmedabad for the month of April is 2.7 mm. Therefore, this proves the rarity of such events”, added Mr. Sharma.

Another meteorologist Mahesh Palawat agrees, “Yes, it is unusual for Gujarat to observe such amounts of rain in the month of April but Gujarat, in the last few years has been witnessing such intense and short weather phenomenon.”

Kochi records highest maximum in last 10 years

Every person with a knack for travelling wants to experience the enigmatic and surreal beauty of Cochin, holding timeless imprints of different cultures. It is a major port city on the west coast of India and is situated just at the sea level. It is also known as Kochi and is part of the district of Ernakulam in Kerala. Kochi is very famous for spices and Chinese fishing net, which is operated from the shores itself.

Wind pattern and proximity to the water bodies like the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, does not allow the place to heat up much. The mean average maximum for the month of April is 32.9°C. In the last 10 years Cochin has not recorded more than 35°C but on Monday it broke the record as maximum temperature touched 35.4°C. Day temperature recorded on Wednesday was a shade better at 34.2°C.

By the end of April, temperatures start dropping as thunderstorms pick up and it starts pouring by the first week of June. The monsoon air masses enter Kerala by the first week of June and the average rainfall received in the month is 700 mm. The place receives good pre-monsoon showers as well with an average rain of 94.8 mm in April. This year till now, Cochin has received only 35.4 mm of rain, which accounts for the high temperatures. Inadequate rain has led to temperatures shooting up in the region.

However, according to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, conditions are favourable for showers and just one spell could meet the deficit for the month. Confluence of air masses from both the water bodies could bring rain.

picture courtesy- spice tree munnar

Westerly turns on the heat, Odisha hottest in the country

In the next two to three days Central India, adjoining northwest plains and East India are expected to witness increase in heat conditions. Maximum temperatures are likely to hover around 40°C or above. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, intense heat will continue in these parts due to dry and hot land winds blowing from the west direction.

Maximum temperatures in Varanasi, Patna and Gaya in East India and parts of Gangetic West Bengal have already touched 40°C. The day temperature was near normal in Allahabad on Wednesday but it may record beyond 40°C in next 48 hours.

Maximums in Madhya Pradesh in Central India may also rise by two to three notches and settle around 40°C or above. Day temperatures are above 40°C at most of the weather stations in Gujarat. The maximum temperature here is likely to maintain for a couple of days more.

Odisha is the hottest state at the moment in the country, with maximums settling in the early forties at many places. Bhubaneswar, the capital city recorded 42.2°C as the maximum temperature on Wednesday, which is 5 notches above normal.

Very hot conditions are also prevailing in interiors of South India like madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, north interior Karnataka, Telangana and Rayalaseema. The temperatures are expected to remain in the early forties. Bhira in Maharashtra recorded the highest temperature at 43°C on Wednesday. However, some places in Kerala, south interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu could receive pre-monsoon rain in the next 48 hours.

The weather in North India has been relatively less warm than Central, South and East India but the latest weather update predicts further rise in day temperatures. Apart from the chances of squally winds on Friday evening, there is not much relief expected as the temperatures are likely to settle around in the higher thirties. Due to northwesterly winds, morning and evening hours will be a a little comfortable.

Forecast of Hottest day in Delhi

The ongoing spell of hot weather in Delhi could worsen further in the coming two days as the maximum temperatures are expected to surge beyond 38°C, the highest maximum recorded in Delhi till now. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, consistent surface heating due to clear skies will push up the temperatures. Delhi recorded a maximum of 35.6°C on Wednesday.

Skymet Meteorology Division in India explains that the rise in maximum temperature in Delhi will also depend on the condition of the winds. If winds blow from the Thar desert and reach Delhi, the day temperatures will shoot up but if they blow from the Western Himalayan region, the temperatures will be tolerable.

According to the latest weather update, Western Disturbances in the coming days will now track more towards the northern latitudes and will not affect the national capital much during the next two to three days. However, such weather systems may bring squally winds to Delhi and give some reprieve from the heat.

A similar reprieve from heat condition is expected on Friday evening or late night as atmospheric conditions would be suitable for squally winds under the influence of a Western Disturbance over the Western Himalayan region. Chances of rain in Delhi are less and the weather in Delhi would continue to be deprived of moisture.

 

Photograph by GurgaonShoppingMalls.com

Sugarcane| Indian Sugar futures fell on profit-taking and sluggish demand in local spot markets.

Indian Sugar futures fell on profit-taking and sluggish demand in local spot markets, though an estimated drop in production restricted the downside in the price. Sugar futures are likely to open higher in the next session as bulk consumers are likely to increase purchases at the lower prices, according to dealers.

Soybean| Indian Soy oil futures edged higher following gains in overseas palm oil prices.

Indian Soy oil futures edged higher following gains in overseas palm oil prices and as the rupee eased, while Soybean futures rose on dwindling supplies in local spot markets. Soybean and Soyoil futures are likely to open higher on good demand in spot markets. According to traders, spot prices of Soybean will increase in the coming days.

Turmeric| Indian Turmeric futures surged on exports inquiries and a slight drop.

Indian Turmeric futures surged on exports inquiries and a slight drop in supply at major spot markets of the country. Turmeric prices declined at Erode market on the back of poor quality arrivals. Traders are receiving new orders from North India every day, but for want of quality traders quoted lower price. The demand for the hybrid finger was high.

Cardamom| Indian Cardamom gained flavour on strong demand amidst short supply in the major spot market.

Indian Cardamom gained flavour on strong demand amidst short supply in the major spot market. Arrivals have started shrinking at Kochi and aiding a bullish sentiment in the market. Weather conditions were reportedly unfavourable as the major growing tracks have been experiencing severe drought conditions for more than a month now.

TOP TEN HOTTEST PLACES IN INDIA

According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Bhabanipatna in Odisha recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country. Here's a list of places with highest maximum temperatures recorded on Wednesday:

 

Place State Temperature recorded on Wednesday Forecast trendfor Thursday
Bhawanipatna Odisha 42.2°C Same
Sambalpur Odisha 41.6°C Same
Hanamkonda Andhra Pradesh 41.5°C Same
Baroda Gujarat 41.5°C Same
Bankura West Bengal 41.3°C Same
Amreli Gujarat 41°C Same
Jalgaon Maharashtra 40.8°C Same
Kurnool Andhra Pradesh 40.9°C Same
Anantapur Andhra Pradesh 40.5°C Same
Bhagalpur Bihar 40.4°C Same

 

picture courtesy- Gita Prachar Samiti

Hot and sultry weather in Mumbai during last day of polls

The six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai will go to the polls tomorrow amidst extremely hot and humid conditions.

Each constituency in India’s entertainment hub Mumbai has stark contradictions. Lok Sabha Elections will unite the multi-billionaire industrialists living in residential skyscrapers and classy movie stars to the people living in pavement shacks and slum dwellers.

Polling for the third and final phase of the Lok Sabha Elections in Maharashtra will to decide the fate of 338 including 149 independents and 26 women candidates. Besides the six constituencies of Mumbai North, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South Central and Mumbai South, polling will be held in Nandurbar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Raver, Dindori and Nashik in north Maharashtra. Jalna, Aurangabad, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane and Raigad will also fight the biggest democratic political battle.

Campaigning in Mumbai is a nightmare for every candidate as it becomes difficult to address the different classes differently. An aide to Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai North candidate rightly pointed out to the media, "if we speak about mega-infrastructure projects, the middle and lower middle-class are not interested; they demand improvements in the basics. If we address that, then the upper classes and rich are not interested!"

Weather in Mumbai

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, maximum temperature recorded in Mumbai yesterday was 37.3°C, which is 4°C above normal average. Thus, we can say that Mumbai is experiencing heat wave like conditions as coastal stations do not require maximums to touch 40°C to experience heat waves and maximums 4 to 5°C above average are good enough.

On the 21st of April, Mumbai recorded second highest maximum in last 10 years at 39°C. Tomorrow, the day temperature will remain in the high-thirties. Evenings are usually comfortable in Mumbai as more the heat, more pronounced is the breeze, explains G.P. Sharma of Skymet Meteorology Division in India.

picture courtesy- indiatimes.com

Lack of rain affecting mango crops in Madurai

Minimal rain of about 0.2 mm in Madurai, during the month of April, has been severely affecting mango crop in the city. In fact it has hampered the overall production of mango in Tamil Nadu. According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorological Division in India, Madurai could receive light showers in the next 48 hours due to the confluence of humid winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

Merchants in the region estimate that the demand for juicy varieties of mango, may be affected without much fruits on the trees. Many of the trees have failed to yield fruits due to adverse weather conditions. Even worse, the standing trees are starting to wither away. And this has been due to prolonged sultry weather and lack of enough rain in the last one year.

In 2011 and 2012, Madurai had recorded 47 and 76 mm of rain, but it reduced in 2013, when the city recorded 13 mm of rain. This year, Madurai has had only 0.2 mm of rain since the beginning of April.

Madurai fruit market is one of the biggest in southern Tamil Nadu. Dindigul and Theni districts are considered the mango belt of the region. During the peak season, the market is used to transact as much as 100 to 150 tons of mangoes per day, however, this year it has been not more than 20 tons.

“The mango cultivation has taken heavy toll due to lack of rain in the region," said M Sadukkani, a fruit commission agent in Madurai.

Farmers explain, though, the flowering of the mango crop was abundant this time, the summer rains failed to come on time. As a result all flowers withered away. In April 2013, a sudden hailstorm had damaged over 40 percent of unripe mango crop in Pochampalli district of Tamil Nadu.

Agriculturists are now concerned and believe that mango yield will soon start depleting from the region if the summer rains behave the same way every year .

Photo by hindu.







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