The national capital received moderate showers, early last night. Base observatory, Safdarjung recorded 14mm of rainfall and airport Palam nearly doubled at 29mm. NCR also registered intermittent showers of varying intensity. There was very light rain in the morning hours as well but mercifully did not disrupt grand Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort. Delhi’s record observatory at Safdarjung registered a total of 236.4mm of rainfall between the 01st and 16th of August, slightly more than the monthly normal of 233.1mm. August being the rainiest month for Delhi, it does not happen very often to reach this figure, just halfway through the month.
Monsoon trough was keeping close proximity to Delhi for fairly long. Also, a cyclonic circulation persisted over Northeast Rajasthan, in the vicinity of Delhi. It was the main trigger and the capital city practically rained every day, less or more and at irregular timings, during the first fortnight of August. Things are going to change and will bring a twist in the weather conditions.
Cyclonic circulation will finally vacate and shift over extreme West Rajasthan. Also, a westerly system of cyclonic circulation will come up over North Pakistan and adjoining parts. Under the influence of these two systems, the monsoon trough pattern will be vitiated. It will not only lose proximity to Delhi but will also remain in a state of disarray. The continuous spree of monsoon activity over Delhi and its suburbs will halt and be reduced to absolutely short and light bursts on the weekend, of 17th and 18th August.
The monsoon trough may shift north of Delhi, at the start of next week for about 48 hours. It is expected to oscillate north-south once again around mid-week. The shift of trough, irrespective of north or south of Delhi, is associated with sporadic showers. So, the monsoon showers will not completely cease but become mild and fleeting on the weekend and start of next week. The approach of another monsoon system, still in the formative stage over the Bay of Bengal, will reposition the trough close to Delhi. Normal monsoon activity will resume again by the next weekend.
Image Courtesy: Business Standard
