Updated on March 10, 2016 11:00 AM (IST): Prolonged spell of rain approaching entire India
As Skymet has been reiterating, most parts of the India will start receiving some rainfall very soon. From March 11, rain will commence over the hilly states of North India, Punjab, parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. Light rain seems a possibility in Delhi-NCR and North Madhya Pradesh as well.
Gradually, by March 12 intensity and spread of rain will increase. Moderate to heavy rainfall activities are likely over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. One or two heavy spell of rainfall will be witnessed over Punjab and Haryana.
North India rainfall activities will also include North Rajasthan, most parts of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and East Madhya Pradesh. By March 14 rainfall will reduce significantly from entire Northwest plains but continue over parts of Central and East India such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and some parts of Chhattisgarh. Scattered rainfall activities will continue over the hilly states.
Maharashtra will also start receiving scattered light rains from March 11. Click here to read the story, Relentless rain in Maharashtra not beneficial for crops.
Mumbai is also gearing up for some more rains this weekend
There will be a gap around March 15 and 16. A fresh spell of rain will begin once again from the 16th night. Another Western Disturbance will resume rainfall activities over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. By March 17, the plains of Northwest India will receive scattered light to moderate rainfall activities.
Updated on March 9, 2016 10:00 AM (IST): Reversing trend of weather pattern in India this March
A prolonged spell of rain and hail storm is approaching the entire country, beginning with North and West India and gradually covering East, Central and Southern Peninsula.
But, is it a reversing trend of weather pattern in India?
Winter rains generally get over by the month of February in North India and March rains are just spillovers. For Southern Peninsula, March is the period for commencement of pre-Monsoon rain and thundershowers.
It’s a time for cessation of winter rains but North India continues to receive good showers. In fact, the last spell of rain was considered to be the best this winter season. On the other hand, pre-Monsoon showers seem to be a distant cry for now. South India has been receiving very less rainfall for the last few days and the limelight continues to remain above the peninsular areas.
Hail storm in India
This is also the period for hail storm in India, which is mostly seen over Central and East India. The worst affected states include Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Of course, hail storms cannot be ruled out in other areas but coastal stations of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remain devoid of them.
Hailstorms occur due to the convergence of winds from different origins and not just in view of single weather systems. Another important factor for hail storms is heat. All the above-mentioned regions mostly start heating up at the beginning of March. This season Bhubaneswar has already seen temperatures touch the 40-degree mark.
Hail storm always damages crops and especially if they have already reached the harvesting stage. So has been the case for Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh at present. These states witnessed a prolonged spell of rain last week, leading to immense damage of crops.
Also read, Rain, hailstorm bring immense damage to standing Rabi crops in Maharashtra
The harvesting season in North India is around Baisakhi in the middle of April. While in Peninsular India harvesting starts by the second week of February and is completed by the end of the month.
In fact, rains at this time are considered beneficial for the crops in North India, provided they are not accompanied by hailstorm and strong winds. Hail and strong winds are highly detrimental to crops and lead to lodging.
Prolonged spell of rain and hail storm
We have entered the second week of March and a little unusual trend is being observed. North India should have been less active in terms of rainfall. Nevertheless, another spell of rain seems to be approaching the country. This spell of rain will possibly be more intense than the previous one.
We had a strong El Nino, prevailing since last year, this time and generally winter rains are less in North India but the rainy days extend up to March. A similar situation was witnessed last year in March as well when the winter rains extended up to the month of March.
Also read, Simultaneous rainfall observed across India
The spell will begin with light rain in extreme West Rajasthan on March 10 and gradually extend up to other parts of West and North India.
Significant amounts of rainfall will be observed on March 12 and 13 across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The rain belt will extend up to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar. The prevailing weather systems will gather more strength and lash in a big way. Their influence will reach Telangana, Rayalaseema and South Interior Karnataka.
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