Monsoon usually reaches Northwest India after mid-June but this year it reached before time and gave good rains in the region. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the month of June ended with a surplus of 31%. Only two sub-divisions in Northwest India - East Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh – recorded deficient rain during the month.
Rainfall amounts in July proved to be a little poor as compared to June. The surplus of 31% slipped to settle at 11% by the end of July due to subdued rainfall activity. Only three sub-divisions recorded normal or surplus rain during this period.
And the situation hasn’t been any better in August either as the rainfall surplus has slid further. According to the data available with Skymet, the rainfall surplus in the region as of August 16 stands at 1%.
Some good rain was being observed in Northwest India for the last 2 to 3 days. But the Monsoon trough which was vital in giving rain in the region has shifted north of Delhi and is moving closer to the foothills of the Himalayas. In next 24 hours the system will be running along the foothills leaving Northwest India dry. The hill states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will only observe light rain.
East Uttar Pradesh will however start receiving good rain next 24 hours due to the shifting of the Monsoon trough. Rainfall activity will be heavier at places close to the foothills like Gorakhpur, Gonda, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri and Maharajganj.
Image Credit: The Hindu
